Friendships, Wisdom and Pop Rocks

The past few days I have really been thinking about my friendships. I have all kinds of friends for all kinds of reasons. Some are because we work our attend church together, some are because our kids are in the same class, some are because we like the same coffee shops, and then there are some friends that we just met randomly. But each one of my friends brings something unique to the table. They all bring something different out in me. And we've all heard that some friends are for a season and others are for a lifetime.

The key is being able to tell the difference. I have had some of the best times of my life with people that I no longer talk to. I have shared my most intimate secrets with some whom
I don't even know if they are still alive. Then I have friends that I hardly ever get to see, but when I do, it's like being home. Just being near them brings out the the best me that I can be.

One of the friends that I remember the most vivdly from childhood is Karen. I knew her when I was around 8 or 9. She was the older junior high girl down the street with a million freckles and a frizzy bright red fro that introduced me to the Bee Gees and Pop Rocks. She was so cool! She hated all the other "kids" but she liked me. We were buds. She could jump down all three of the steps in front of her house at one time. And she always wore the coolest t-shirts with her cords. I wanted to be just like her when I grew up.

So thank you Karen, whereever you are. You have paved the way for a great many friendships that I have had in my life.