It’s Monday again … which means another opportunity to chase wonder together as we continue to explore the theme of journeys.
Here’s the question: What is your earliest memory of friendship? What is one way your life’s journey is different … dare I say “better” … because of friends?
Loretta, my childhood friend, from about 5? She had long, blonde hair (how I envied it, with my mad, out of control dark curls!). Friends from then - seventies, in the back garden school and birthday party friends. In short, I resonate VERY much with what Susan and Annette share in their comments, about meeting and journeying with truly special friends at this stage of my life, it is truly precious and such a gift from God.
I believe I was 5 at the time. There were very few children in the neighborhood. Now, as an older adult, and a Christian, my friendships are stronger. It is a journey, edifying and encouraging each other to get through this life with Jesus. It is a very special journey now.
I love this, Susan. Friendship does make the journey very worth it. And my faith in Jesus is so different and more mature because of my friends. I keep thinking of that Augustinian phrase that I included in The Wonder Report last week: "Alone I would not have done it."
When I was a child there were only a couple of girls who lived at my end of a very very long street in a residential neighborhood. I spent a lot of time doing lone things like roller skating, bike riding, reading, and playing on my own. I had friends and acquaintances at school and church, but I didn't have time to develop any of them nor did they live near me. It was in high school that I developed a best friend, both her and her sister became close to me for many years. I am now 57. The best friends that I have had in life have been developed in my 50s. These are the best, most treasured; and the kind of friends who make time for me and to nurture a friendship.
This is beautiful, Annette. I've often heard (and even said) that it's harder to make friends as we grow older, but I'm starting to think that that's not exactly true. Because I've made some very dear friends in the last decade myself ... maybe friendship itself is just different. We expect more out of it and so maybe are slower to call the people in our lives "friend"? I'm not sure. I think the key is that part about "making time." Friendships really do need time, don't they?
Yes, friendship needs time and it needs specific things to create growth. In looking back on friendships when I was in my 20s and 30s and 40s, it was usually older women who were better nurturers of friendships. One of my best friends was actually a longtime friend of my mother. Mother and Thelma met when they were 16. My mother died in 2008, and through correspondence and phone calls, Thelma and I became very good friends. Thelma is 94. Thelma has shared so many stories about her life. She is transparent about painful life experiences. For example, her first husband died either on the USS Indianapolis or in the water after the sinking. Thelma was a widow at age 18. She was recently honored with his flag. So, I think one of the ingredients for a great friendship is honesty and transparency about life experiences and how to persevere. Sharing brings the feeling that this person can identify with my pain. Sharing also makes the relationship bond stronger.
Loretta, my childhood friend, from about 5? She had long, blonde hair (how I envied it, with my mad, out of control dark curls!). Friends from then - seventies, in the back garden school and birthday party friends. In short, I resonate VERY much with what Susan and Annette share in their comments, about meeting and journeying with truly special friends at this stage of my life, it is truly precious and such a gift from God.
I think friendship gets better over time! I'm so glad we're friends!
Me too!!! 🙋♀️💗
I believe I was 5 at the time. There were very few children in the neighborhood. Now, as an older adult, and a Christian, my friendships are stronger. It is a journey, edifying and encouraging each other to get through this life with Jesus. It is a very special journey now.
I love this, Susan. Friendship does make the journey very worth it. And my faith in Jesus is so different and more mature because of my friends. I keep thinking of that Augustinian phrase that I included in The Wonder Report last week: "Alone I would not have done it."
So very true Charity, so very true. :)
When I was a child there were only a couple of girls who lived at my end of a very very long street in a residential neighborhood. I spent a lot of time doing lone things like roller skating, bike riding, reading, and playing on my own. I had friends and acquaintances at school and church, but I didn't have time to develop any of them nor did they live near me. It was in high school that I developed a best friend, both her and her sister became close to me for many years. I am now 57. The best friends that I have had in life have been developed in my 50s. These are the best, most treasured; and the kind of friends who make time for me and to nurture a friendship.
This is beautiful, Annette. I've often heard (and even said) that it's harder to make friends as we grow older, but I'm starting to think that that's not exactly true. Because I've made some very dear friends in the last decade myself ... maybe friendship itself is just different. We expect more out of it and so maybe are slower to call the people in our lives "friend"? I'm not sure. I think the key is that part about "making time." Friendships really do need time, don't they?
Yes, friendship needs time and it needs specific things to create growth. In looking back on friendships when I was in my 20s and 30s and 40s, it was usually older women who were better nurturers of friendships. One of my best friends was actually a longtime friend of my mother. Mother and Thelma met when they were 16. My mother died in 2008, and through correspondence and phone calls, Thelma and I became very good friends. Thelma is 94. Thelma has shared so many stories about her life. She is transparent about painful life experiences. For example, her first husband died either on the USS Indianapolis or in the water after the sinking. Thelma was a widow at age 18. She was recently honored with his flag. So, I think one of the ingredients for a great friendship is honesty and transparency about life experiences and how to persevere. Sharing brings the feeling that this person can identify with my pain. Sharing also makes the relationship bond stronger.