My First Girlfriends

Julie, Me, Jill, Cheryl (Class of '90)

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend, and then I became a woman. I found out that if you allow your heart to open up, God will show you the best in many friends.

One friend's best is needed when you're going through things with your children. Another friend's best is needed when you're going through things with your career. Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.

One friend will say let's pray together, another let's cry together, another let's fight together, another let's walk away together.

One friend will meet your spiritual need, another - your shoe fetish, another - your love for books.

Another will climb the rocky path of adolescence with you, another will straighten your veil, another will bear children along side of you. Another will be strategically placed to help you hide your tears the first time you drop that baby off at school. Another will show you how to wear your makeup to cover the crows feet. Another color your hair to cover the grey. Another will help you reinvent yourself when the little ones grow up and move away.

Another will be with you in your season of confusion, another will be your clarifier, another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life, on whatever the occasion, on whatever the day, or whenever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself... those are your friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many it's wrapped up in several... several from elementary school, one from 6th grade, a few from high school, several from old jobs, one from church, many from your neighborhood, on some days your mother, on others your sisters, and on some days it's the one that you needed just for that day... the one with a fresh perspective, or the one who didn't know all your baggage, or the one who would just listen without judging... those are the best - best friends.

I thank my girlfriends, those who honor intimacy, those who hold trust, and those who hold me up when life is just too heavy!

The special bond we share is unique.

Thanks for the words we've shared. The prayers we've sent up. The laughs, the tears, the phone calls, the emails, the shopping, the movies, the lunches, the dinners, the talking, talking, talking and the listening, listening, listening...

You were placed in my life just when I needed you. And I hope I in yours, as well. I thank God for you, pray for you and love you always.