Sweetness of friends

I saw someone today that I had not seen in years. We were at the bakery and we ran into each other and we had a big old catch up. It was good to see her looking so well and being happy. I might not see her again for a year, or I might run into her tomorrow again. It will be easy and it will be kind.

Life goes by and we do not manage time for everyone that we enjoy and care about. A lot of this has to do with circumstances. If we lived next door to each other, or were in the same tai chi class we would connect. Sometimes you really like people but your lives do not cross paths.

I know I made so many of my friends because our children were the same age. We waited together at the same soccer fields and we came to know one another. We watched each others children grow from toddlers to teenagers to young adults. 

Sometimes I am friends with someone because we work together. Friendship is often about proximity. We run into each other in our daily life and our friendship deepens. We talk, we tell the story of what happened yesterday, often not much, but we are in each others daily lives and it is a comfort. 

Over the years I have found a friend through friends and of course through my sisters. Those friends come pre selected in a way. Someone you love already loves them and so they start off with a great reference. Some of these friendships have become lifelong good friends. Friends full of wisdom and kindness.

Sometimes, I find a new friend and all we have is this little spark of understanding between each other. There is no history, no story, just a sweet connection and maybe a shared interest. I met someone today for the second time and after I left, I said to my husband, "I think I'd like to be friends with her." That happens sometimes, someone just sparks a little joy in your heart and you want to see them again.

Wherever and whenever you find a friend it is the loveliest of things. To feel a kinship with someone, to like and be liked, or love and be loved. You get to share your stories, your stuff, your time and from it you grow. It makes life sweeter and more fun.