Friends in Their Time

Friends fade in and out of our lives. Those we know in one part of our lives seem to fall away in another season of life. During my working years, I loved my co-workers. They listened, laughed, scolded, shared recipes, vented their frustrations, and made days at the office more pleasant. Some of them even joined us on the weekends for the wilder times. I still love them.

Ironically they are the ones who welcomed me into my new life as a mother. They surprised me with a bountiful baby shower that made me feel so loved. Yet although they were welcoming me to motherhood, looking back I see it more as a farewell party. Now that I am a stay at home mom, the relationships are almost gone. I rarely see my old co-workers. They shared in my journey to adulthood, marriage, parenthood, and yet they are no longer a part of my life. I miss them, but I am so glad they were with me in their time.

I also had friends who showed up every weekend to celebrate the joys of youth and the fact that no boss could lord over us every day. We had the house band (neighbors who practiced in the garage) and we lived in the middle of our small town so that everyone knew where to go for the party. Those people were so much fun... I hope they have all grown up safely. Of course, when hubby and I had been married a couple of years, we began to party less. The leader of the band moved out of the downstairs apartment. Life settled down and none of those "friends" even call us anymore. It is no longer their time.

Then there are others who befriend us because of circumstances. Ladies I once led a breastfeeding group with have long since moved away, or found other endeavors. We once relished in one another's company; watching our young toddlers play and laugh together as we chatted with (hooray!) other adults. But that time was fleeting. We needed each other, and it was a great blessing to have those friendships in their time. I miss those ladies. Maybe I'll make a phone call or send an email just to say hey.

But there are the time tested friendships that have the deepest roots of history, promises, secrets, love, devotion. All that stuff acts like glue; holding us together no matter what part of our lives we're in. We have truly been through it all together. We know that even if it's months between the times we talk, our conversations will never feel awkward. No matter what choices we've made, how old our kids are, where we live, or our current need in life, we can always count on each other. It is to those friends that I must say, "It is always our time, thank you. I just can't wait until we get to talk again."