The Blessing of Friendship Across the Years

Photo image courtesy Pixabay

“A friend loves at all times.” – Proverbs 17:17 (New Life Version)

“People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.” Often attributed to a poem by Brian A. “Drew” Chalker, I have found this popular saying to be true. However, most of my reason and season friends have stayed with me for a lifetime.

My friend Kayleen and I met at a writer’s conference at Sandy Cove, Maryland. Kayleen is from Indiana. I’m from Pennsylvania. Both of us were freelance writers for magazines and also wrote as we received assignments from newspapers. We enjoyed getting to know each other at the conference and decided to call each other once a week to chat about writing for 10 minutes.

We kept up that practice for years, then our season of writing for newspapers ended, and we discontinued the weekly calls, but we kept up the friendship. Kayleen and John visited us in Pennsylvania, and my husband Bill and I visited them in Indiana. Kayleen and I are both widows now, and we remain friends and support each other through periodic phone calls. Our season of friendship turned into a lifetime friendship.

A classmate, Linda, and I navigated elementary and middle school years together. Then school districts changed boundaries, and we attended different high schools, got to know different sets of friends, and lost touch. But her brother married a cousin of mine, and in recent years we reconnected. Our school-years season of friendship has turned into a lifetime. We now visit over lunch at her place or mine.

Dolores and I grew up on neighboring farms. I was a bridesmaid in her wedding. The man she married served in the US Air Force, so she lived outside of the area for many years. But she moved back, built a new home near her old farmhouse, and we now email each other every morning just to see how we’re doing.

Dolores is a lifelong friend. We know each others’ aches and pains. She too is a widow, and I draw courage from the strength she and her family have shown in grief.

Of course I have many more friends who have been with me for reasons or seasons. My friend Ginny came into my life as I walked to the door of my new high school for the first time. We call and visit regularly. Kim and Janine are two young friends who help me navigate the senior years with doctor’s appointments and grocery needs.

And I have also become close friends through an online writers’ critique group. As we share prayer requests, we’ve gotten to know each other. Dawn and her husband visited Bill and I before both men passed on. Katy keeps in touch between group meetings through text messages.

Enjoy the friends you have and keep your mind open to making new friends. All of us need support, especially in our senior years, and that’s what friends are for.

Questions for Reflection:

1. Which of your friends have been with you for a reason? For a season? And for your entire life?

2. Send a note of thanks to a friend who has supported you through a tough time.

3. Which of your friends needs a friendly touch today? Reach out.