My Ebenezer

As we approach New Year’s Eve, I am reminded of people who have come and gone in my life. I was blessed with good friends when I was younger and some of those friends have even carried over into my adult life. I’m so grateful for the friendships I grew up with and so grateful for the people who know my story and love me anyway. Talking to an old friend is like curling up in your favorite pj’s on a rainy day. I love the people in my life I can talk to occasionally and we pick up right where we left off. They keep my humble, reminding where I came from and where my roots are.

I’m also thankful for new friends I’ve made over the last few years – they keep me hopeful of what is yet to come. As we plan our families together and talk about parenting, I’m just overwhelmed with gratitude. God has given me so many gifts but I especially treasure my friends.

I love that I have people to walk through life with. Don’t get me wrong, my husband is the best friend I could ever hope for and I wouldn’t trade him for the world. But my girlfriends bring something into my life that no man ever could and I’m not sure I can even give that a name. It’s not better, just different. Life is richer when you have good friends.

As we cross over into 2006, I feel a significant transformation taking place within us. We are crossing over into parenthood (or will be shortly). Our lives are changing and things that were once so important suddenly pale in comparison to crib bedding, spit up and diapers. And I couldn’t be happier. As I watch my friends experience pregnancy and childbirth (okay, i didn’t technically witness the childbirth) and as we plan for our family through adoption, I realize that we’re all changing. We’re all growing.

I just couldn’t imagine doing all of this on our own. Starting this new chapter in our lives without friends who are on the same path would be so lonely. And scary. So as we ring in the New Year I’d like to stop and thank God for the many friends we’ve been blessed with over the years. Some of you have been with me since the first grade, others of you only a few short months. I love each and every one of you. Some have long since come and gone, only walking through a season of life with me and I’m also grateful for you.

You see, everyone I meet brings joy into my life. Some when they come into it and some when they leave. ha ha ha Sorry, I just remembered that bumper sticker and I couldn’t resist. Have a great New Year!