Friends. Such a double edged sword sometimes. Friends are sometimes more important than family, and other times you can't wait until they leave. And there's so many varying degrees of "friends", from the BFF's to the once upon a time BFF's, to the 'ya, I kinda knew the kid'. Believe me, I've experienced all kinds.
A few weeks ago, a girl in my ward was saying her "goodbyes" to the ward as she was moving back east to live a new life. She was saying how she didn't feel sad about leaving because she didn't have any friends or anyone she would really miss when she left. Oh sure, she was well known and had plenty of the "I knew them once" friends, but she said she regretted that she hadn't left an imprint with anyone and no one had with her either. As I thought over the past several different friends I've had over the many years of my singleness, my moving to St. George had the same type of feel. Only one or two friends I would actually miss.....maybe.
See part of my lack of friends is partially self-inflicted. I'm a very shy person who doesn't go out of my way to make new friends. Through the years I've also been very burned by people who I thought were very good friends. Moving to St. George was a big move, and I have a few friends here, those who I'll go to dinner with once a week, maybe do something one other time during the week, but usually as a large group activity, ie, volleyball, sports....it's the only time I come slightly out of my shell.
This is not a "wo is me" post, more of a self-awareness one. I don't really need friends. The main one I have back home has proven to be a true friend, as she is just about the only one who still talks to me(heart you booty! Yes, her nickname is booty.). Even then, I am perfectly comfortable hanging out with myself and Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning. (the last few months without them has been rough!) Really, I've realized who my real best friends are. They are John and Marianne, also known as Dad and Mom, Scott, Stefie, Mel, Ryan, Tom, Tony, little brother Nate, and baby McCoy, whose not so much a baby anymore. Yep, Mom and Dad, 6 kids, 2 married-in's and one giant 2 year old nephew. These are the ones who will always be my BFF's and won't burn me. Even if they do, eternity is a long time for them to make it up to me!
I hope you don't feel like I have ever "burned" you. I think about you often, I pass your parents house often and wonder how you are. I enjoy your posts on fb just to see what you are up to! I hope all is well with you and I hope you still consider me a friend, even if it was once upon a time :)
ReplyDelete<3 you Sister!!!! I'm glad to be counted as your friend! I love you and miss you!
ReplyDeleteDo I dare try again, this is my 4th time.....
ReplyDeleteWell I do know that "booty" is a very common nickname, but for a moment I want to pretend that is me. Cause this "booty" has to be quite special to have such an amazing friend in her life. I know that you have been such an example to me in my life and have been blessed in so many ways by knowing you. Through thick, thin, rough, happy, funny, exciting, scary, distance or laps of time, you have always been such an amazing from to me. I am blessed to have you in my life and to have learned so much from you. I will always have a special place in my heart for you and am thankful to you for all that you have taught me. I love you Miss!