Nearly five years ago I started my life here. I started in a new place. New roads to get lost on. New students to teach. New friends to make.
Scared doesn't do my mind and heart justice. It took a long time for me to get cozy in my new life. Finding friends wasn't easy for me. I allowed (and sometimes still do) my job to take up a lot of my free time. So, going out and meeting new people was rough. One simple start was a television show.
L and her husband, J watched the same silly show in their basement. I can't even remember how it happened exactly, but we started joining forces and watching together. The winter seemed a little more bearable, a little warmer, and a little more friendly.
Through time L didn't seem like just a colleague anymore. Sure, we spent time together at school talking about teaching strategies, our students, our struggles and triumphs. Soon we became more. We decided to share life together. I don't think we knew quite what that meant at the time. Living in the same house helped us to become friends and not just colleagues.
Time has allowed me to know her love of organization, her love of snacks, her practicality, her insane sense of smell, and her talent for losing her phone.
More than that, time has given me the chance to see her as a wife to J. She loves and accepts him. She values his leadership and skills.
I am lucky to get to see her as a sister and daughter. She values family. She works hard at keeping in touch with them and their everyday lives. She welcomes them into her home.
Time has now let me see her as a mommy. Baby J can't know yet how lucky he is to have her. She lights up when she holds him, delights in his existence, and sacrifices for him.
I am thankful for the time see my friend. From her I have learned love, strength, acceptance, joy.
Wow. What a great post! I suppose I might be a bit biased in my opinion of the subject. Friendships like this, the ones that you don't remember how it happened exactly, but are so glad it did, are definitely to be treasured. And documented so endearingly!
ReplyDeleteBefore now, I didn't realize that you were blogging. One of my cousins just posted today that she hasn't had time to write, but is ITCHING to be able to do so. I think I'm in the same place. I'm going to have to get at it. Thanks for the inspiration.
What a lovely tribute to your friend. You can't predict how life will turn out but it seems that you have found a great place.
ReplyDeleteSweet words about your friend, and your life, too. I think you must have been a part of that friendship building. (I like your blog title!)
ReplyDeleteLove your beginning, especially the line, "New roads to get lost on." Friends are so important. I tend to be a lot like you. I let my job take up a lot of my free time. Lovely slice. :)
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