Friends

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.”

I love that quote.  And I am amazed today at the people who have come in and out of my life and the purpose they served for me.  Just last week, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself thinking about all of my Mendon friends who appear to have moved on.  We've reached the 6 month point.  It's inevitable, I know, but I'm always sad and disappointed when it happens.  I seem to always be the one who hangs on longer than anyone else.   


But doors close all the time, and then others open...


Most recently I've added a new mom, an aunt, and two sisters to the list of people who amaze and inspire me.  I'm sure their influence and support will come in and out of my life in the coming years.  I'm so grateful to have them.  


Shortly after we moved here, I deleted my Facebook account.  But even with a very small window of opportunity, I happened to find someone unexpected...the sister missionary who taught me the discussions when I was in college in 1993!  She happens to live less than a mile away from me.  We went to lunch shortly after finding each other on FB and since then have become very good friends.  I'm certain that it was not an accident that our paths have crossed again.  I'm not sure what purpose that friendship will have in my life, but it has been a pleasure to reminisce with her and to be reminded of the way I felt when I was first investigating the Church.


When we lived in Seattle, I had a friend who would come over and keep me company when my husband traveled.  I thoroughly enjoyed talking and scrapbooking with her, and even though I've told her, she will never really know how much I appreciated her company on those long nights.  After we moved back to Atlanta, we kept in touch for the standard 6 months and then lost contact.  But recently, our paths have crossed again.  We seem to be in the same place in our lives and I love the connection that I feel with her again even though we still live so far away.


In Mendon, it took a LONG time for me to establish solid friendships.  The closest friendships I had were ones that I made shortly before we moved.  (Why does that always happen??)  They were the kinds of friends who asked questions and then stayed to hear the answers.  They were the ones who had confidence in me when I didn't.  They encouraged and supported and lifted me when I needed it the most.  They made a difference then and they have made a lasting impression in my life.  They have busy lives, and unfortunately the miles have taken their toll, but I'm sure that our paths will cross again.



There is currently a wonderful woman in my ward who I met shortly after we moved to Allen.  She is smart and funny and beautiful and she has the most amazing family.  I felt an instant connection with her.  I haven't spent as much time with her as I would like because of...well...life.   But she is an inspiration to me in so many ways.  I am attaching a link to her most recent blog post because she explains the details of her life so much better than I ever could.  I wish I could introduce her to every person I have ever met.  It is an honor for me to be numbered among her friends. 


Allie's Blog 

I am so grateful to know her.  She inspires me to be better, to appreciate the blessings and the people around me, and to remember Heavenly Father's hand in every aspect of my life.  I'm convinced that there is a very specific purpose for our friendship and that it is, once again, not an accident that we met when we did.  


I am grateful for the memorable people who have come in and out of my life...and for the person that I've become because of their "footprints".