With a Little Help from My Friends
I've had more than a fair share of disappointments and drama in my friendships the last week or two. At times, I just felt like throwing in the towel and saying, "You know, this just isn't working out". Relationships are messy, complicated and full of tentative rebounds. But then PEOPLE aren't pretty little packages wrapped up in bows so what else should I expect?
I've had to ask myself whether certain relationships are worth fighting for. If only I could get my money back on poor investments. Is there a return/exchange policy on friends? Reason for return: Changed mind/Wrong size/Irreconcilable differences? Such a simple transaction would surely bring peace of mind.
As a little girl in elementary school, I formed a Friendship Club with my friends as many girls during that stage of development tend to do. All of my friends had to sign off on and agree to pledge their undying loyalty to those privileged enough to be a part of the Friendship Club. If only it was that easy to enlist and keep friends loyal! I vaguely remember membership cards being shredded and returned. I'm sure it was a result of an argument between one or more girls as to who had the slouchiest leg-warmers, the prettiest hair scrunchies or the largest collection of jelly bracelets. You know, something so profound.
I thank God that I survived the 80's and my fickle "little girl friends". Today I reflect on my friendship with one of my "big girl friends". I've especially enjoyed her companionship this past week. There have been many long walks and long talks - talks about breakups, marriage, our somewhat significant need for cosmetic surgery, food (always a favorite topic) and our "spiritually-undersized" souls. Without each other I'm sure we'd be in much worse shape - emotionally, physically and spiritually.
"A solitary person, completely alone--no children, no family, no friends--yet working obsessively late into the night, compulsively greedy for more and more, never bothering to ask, 'Why am I working like a dog, never having any fun? And who cares?' More smoke. A bad business.
It's better to have a partner than go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there's no one to help, tough!
Two in a bed warm each other.
Alone, you shiver all night.
By yourself you're unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped."
(Ecclesiastes 4:8-12, The Message)
I've had to ask myself whether certain relationships are worth fighting for. If only I could get my money back on poor investments. Is there a return/exchange policy on friends? Reason for return: Changed mind/Wrong size/Irreconcilable differences? Such a simple transaction would surely bring peace of mind.
As a little girl in elementary school, I formed a Friendship Club with my friends as many girls during that stage of development tend to do. All of my friends had to sign off on and agree to pledge their undying loyalty to those privileged enough to be a part of the Friendship Club. If only it was that easy to enlist and keep friends loyal! I vaguely remember membership cards being shredded and returned. I'm sure it was a result of an argument between one or more girls as to who had the slouchiest leg-warmers, the prettiest hair scrunchies or the largest collection of jelly bracelets. You know, something so profound.
I thank God that I survived the 80's and my fickle "little girl friends". Today I reflect on my friendship with one of my "big girl friends". I've especially enjoyed her companionship this past week. There have been many long walks and long talks - talks about breakups, marriage, our somewhat significant need for cosmetic surgery, food (always a favorite topic) and our "spiritually-undersized" souls. Without each other I'm sure we'd be in much worse shape - emotionally, physically and spiritually.
"A solitary person, completely alone--no children, no family, no friends--yet working obsessively late into the night, compulsively greedy for more and more, never bothering to ask, 'Why am I working like a dog, never having any fun? And who cares?' More smoke. A bad business.
It's better to have a partner than go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there's no one to help, tough!
Two in a bed warm each other.
Alone, you shiver all night.
By yourself you're unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped."
(Ecclesiastes 4:8-12, The Message)
posted by Rachel | 9:10 AM
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