In Tribute to Friendship

Friends are awesome things (and people too). They never cease to amaze me and I am so incredibly grateful for them.

I have a good memory and while I don't remember everything, I tend to remember the people I encounter. I've had so many friends in my life and it's been such a blessing. Each friendship had been unique, no one quite like the other. It makes sense, since no two people are exactly alike but it never stops making an impression on me.

Even acquaintances have influenced me. We all have that one person that we didn't know very well that said or did that one thing that's stayed with you and I'm no exception to that.

People seem to have an inclination to make friends. If you're anything like me, you tend to gravitate towards people that are like you. But in the miracle of friendship, I soon discover that they're nothing like me at all, that while we share interests, we are very different people. And I don't mind that. Making friends is actually a really fascinating process to me. I meet a stranger and I pretty much always find that I have something in common with them. But despite how similar their tastes may be to mine, they're always so different from me! Infinite combinations of traits and tastes to make up a personality....No two people are exactly alike. That always amazes me.

Every once in a while, life throws me a curve ball and since I can't play sports anyway, this really throws me for a loop. This curve ball comes in the form of a friend who is so different from me that I never imagined that we could have anything in common and yet, we work well together. Our differences serve not to keep us apart, but to actually bring us together in mutual curiosity.

Some of my best friends have been made that way. One of the miracles of friendship is that you never know what you're going to get. Even when you've known the person just short of forever, there's always something about them to surprise you. Keeps things interesting that way.

Another thing that amazes me about friendship is the ability to care. Wherever I go, I've been able to make friends. And no matter how many friends I had before, I always have room to care about this new friend as well. Not only that, but they care about me too. There's never some maximum fill level for friendship.

I'm so grateful for my friends. They've gotten me through hard times, laughed with me, cared for and about me, and generally added sunshine (and craziness :) ) into my life. I can't imagine living life without the company of friends who do everything from join me in mutual silliness, comfort me when I cry, go blackberrying in flip flops (you know who you are!), and rescue me when I get stuck behind doors with only one handle...on the outside. Friendship is one of the greatest things about living and I'm grateful for those who have made room in their hearts for me. Thank you for all of the good times and all of the memories. You'll always have a place in my heart.

Love,
Elicia