The Power of Friendship

While writing the novel, 'Mixed', I thought so much about the friendships I've had in my lifetime thus far. Some were childhood friendships, teaching me social skills in the early years. I learned about kindness and sharing, how to play nicely with others and how important it is to say thank you. I also learned about behaviors that could end friendships. Pushing my way to the front of the line, telling my friend her vegetable lunch smelled like a trashcan or overlooking my friend to pick the best kicker for my team could all result in a lonely ride home on the bus. Those were the learning years when mistakes were made, and my peers taught me important life lessons that couldn't be learned from a teacher or my parents. As the years moved on, I've had wonderful people drift in and out of my life. Things change, people grow, they move on, and they move away. Distractions, responsibilities, changes in perspective and values, jobs, children, aging parents, it can all make life feel like one big revolving door with people coming and going. But every single one has made an imprint on my heart. I don't forget a friend, that person who was kind to me or held out a helping hand, even if only for a season. I’ll remember forever.

And then once in a while, you meet a lifer. That person who is immediately on your team and will never quit you, no matter what life slings at you or where it takes you. She'll always be there, cheering you on and wanting the best for you, doing whatever she can to clear the path, making the hard times bearable, the good times extraordinary. She makes you want to be a better person, a better friend. A better you. I hope that if our paths ever cross, my words are kind, genuine and edifying. I hope that if you need help, I will see it and reach out my hand to you. I hope I am all the best of everything that my friends have taught me over the years.

I hope I am all of that for you. And for me. The power of friendship is that it changes people.

Childhood friends are the best teachers