Sarah Continued. . .

These girls did lots of things together. . .

They were in plays together. . . . . . in chorus together. . .

. . .at formal events together. . . at graduation together. . .
. . .and were maid and matron of honor in each other's weddings.

They went to the same school, loved the same people, dreamed similar dreams. . .and then high school in the medium-sized town was over, and it was time to set out on their own. So they did. One went to Abilene, Texas, the other to Searcy, Arkansas. Their roads diverged, and they went down separate paths. Their experiences were no longer as similar (although their phone bills were still as big.) It was surprising to some people who knew them that they were still close friends. Surely distance and life would cause them to drift apart. It was not surprising to them, however, that the drift never really happened.

They had made promises that they were determined to keep. So even though marriages and pregnancies and miles and responsibilities and distance and time caused them to not be together very often. . .not nearly often enough. . .they still try to make the time to see each other when they can.

And they both know that even if they never saw each other again, it would be sad, but it wouldn't matter. Their bonds of friendship have lasted across a span of 31 years, through elementary and jr. high and high school, through separate colleges and miles and phone calls, through marriages and babies and deaths in families, through times of growth and times of lethargy, through not being close enough to each other and not being able to get far enough away from each other. These girls made promises long ago. In fact, one girl (me), remembers VERY clearly a note that the other girl (Sarah) left on her music stand (both played clarinet) at a 5th or 6th grade band recital. She asked if they could be friends forever. . .if they could promise to tell each other everything. . .and we did. . .and we have. . .and we will.

Sarah has been my best friend for a very long time. I know that as you become an adult the phrase "best friend" seems pretty childish. . .and I guess in the eyes of most of the world, we don't ACT like best friends. We aren't constantly calling each other or seeing each other or even planning to see each other. In fact, there are other friends that we probably talk to much, much more than we do each other. But we know this. . .God gave us this relationship as a gift. In a world where everyone wants something from you, all we have ever wanted from each other is a safe place to be when we needed it. From the ages of about 13-18 that safe place was with each other as much as we (and our parents) could stand it. During our college years that place was marathon phone calls. During early marriage and motherhood the bonds were strained due to multitudes of new responsibilities and a deplorable lack of sleep, but the bonds were never broken. And now, it's just nice. . .nice to know there is someone who loved the way you were and who loves the way you are and who will love the way you are going to be.

So how to end this post? I'm not sure. . .except to say, "Thank you God for Sarah. Thank you for your faithfulness to us in our lives, for our families, our blessings, and for each other. Please bless our sons and daughters with friends who will be to them what we have been to each other, and thank you for guiding us along our pathway to you. . ."

I am blessed in many, many ways, and Sarah is truly a precious blessing to me.