The Art of Friendship

Friendship is probably one of the most important things in my life.
I have probably learned to appreciate my friends more this weekend than I have in a long time.
It started off with Liz taking my shift at work. She didn't realize it, but it was seriously important to me that I got Sunday morning off.
[friends take shifts for friends.]
That made me appreciate friends just as a beginning.
But the real reason that I appreciated her taking my shift so much, was the reason I needed Sunday morning off.
Amelia is moving to Washington State to attend Moody Institute, and I probably won't see her again until next summer or after.
For those of you who don't know, Amelia [meia] is the longest friend I've ever had. I don't remember meeting her, because we were babies. We did everything together for years, and when things went down with church stuff, we kind of seperated for a while.
But we've been reconnecting again for about a year, and now she's leaving again.
Sunday morning was her going-away party. Although I had to leave early to work the night shift [that i didnt get off], it was a Sunday morning well-needed. I won't see her again until we're both back next summer.
It's weird, growing up. Moving away from friends and such. I've had really good friends in my life, but I don't have a memory from my childhood years that doesn't have Amelia in it. She's definitely one of the best friends I will ever have in my whole life, and I know that we will stay friends for the rest of our lives.
So, goodbye, Amelia, and all the rest of my friends who are leaving, and whom I am leaving. New friends are ahead of us, but there will always be friends to come back to.
Love you, Meia.
Friendship is a huge part of the painting of life. Without friends, the painting of life would be one person - you. However you paint your life, put people in it that will last your whole life. That's what will make the painting beautiful.
Paint life however you want, because life itself is an art. We paint every day differently.
And so, again, tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow, I learn the art of patience.