Friendship

Yesterday, I spent some time with and talking to friends. They're all so different and in different stages of life as well. Their paths are unique and interesting and I love watching and listening to them as they share the joys of life. That's the easy part of friendship though. The part that requires insight and giving something, like words or thoughts, that might be helpful or relate to an essential growth in their life, that's the part that isn't about ease, but about strength. The strength to take a moment of hardship or heartache and urge it toward a place of ease again. To embrace the moments a friend turns on a faucet that may pour fury or confusion or doubt, and to be the tub that holds the 'water' as it cools into a comfortable temperature, to let them calm down into that transitioned, slightly shifted tone of what was before- this is friendship in balance. When the reflection they see in the mirror isn't clear, the friend wipes the smudge away. The friend props or pushes, holds or harnesses, whichever applies, when it has nothing to do with having a good time. This becomes the friendship full of meaning. When the conversations that are only revealed to the trusted last hours and end in laughter and uplift, a truth is found. The pure connection that time spent together reveals is precious. This is not a virtual idea, but a physical proof of true friendship.

We should see the life in our friends' eyes more. We should feel the air vibrate with their laughter. Or, let their voice resonate in our ears from the other side of the phone line more often. 

Facebook and Instagram and texting, these are useful methods of accomplishing a lot of things, but not true, solid, impenetrable friendship. Friendship is personal in the least. The heart and mind, they want the physical back- basic forms of physical, non-virtual life. Putting substance back into communication on a regular basis. It matters.    

Yesterday, I spent some real, solid time with my friends. Today, I reap the reward of feeling more than before.