Not A Leaf

Friendship is a really important topic in my life. My friends mean the world to me, and I don’t know what I’d do if they weren’t part of my life.

I consider myself to be extremely lucky because of the friendships I’ve made and the friends I have. I also think I’m lucky to have friends all over the country. But that’s what happens when you move a lot as a child. It doesn’t just happen for kids whose parents are in the army. Try having a dad who had a hard time getting tenure at a university, so he’d have to pick up and move his family to new college town.

It wasn’t easy. I’d make friends and then a year or two later, I’d have to say bye to them and make the eternal promise that we’d write forever. It worked for about six or so months, but eventually, routines change, lives change and you lose touch. Didn’t happen with all my friends, but a handful of them.

But believe me, I’m not bitter about it. Perhaps at the time I was angry at my dad, but being older, I understand why it happened. He had a family he had to support and not having the stability of tenure can really be stressful. I’m extremely proud of my dad. He worked so hard and still does. It’s admirable. I can thank him, though. Because I moved around so much, I’ve seen some amazing places, lived in different climates, which as funny as it sounds, helped my immune system. But the most memorable thing is I made friendships to last a lifetime.

One of my now close friends, VL, reminds me of that every day. This past year for my birthday, she gave me a gift that represented friendship. If any of you saw my 8/365 on Flickr, it’ll make more sense.

Wooden figurines of two little girls. At first when I saw it I was confused. But then, I saw the little card that explained what they stood for.

“Sisters of Heart: Celebrating a treasured friendship of sharing and understanding”

It’s a powerful message that is so true. A friendship really is about sharing and understanding each other.

I was so touched by the gesture. It reminds me every day not only of her and our friendship, but any friendship I have that is close and meaningful. Lucky for me, so many of my girl friends are like sisters to me. These two figurines sit in our curio rack and every time I walk by them, I’m reminded of all the friendships I’ve made. I love it.