I had a wonderful and emotional 3 and 1/2 hr gal pal meet-up over the weekend with a person I've only met twice before through work but have remained connected thanks to FB and text messages. Stories and experiences, personal and deep, were exchanged and it was a surprise to the both of us as we got on like a house on fire and were comfortable enough and trusted each other enough to share our most private thoughts. I don't have a sixth sense but my instincts have rarely been wrong when it comes to the people I meet. And with her I felt "Here's someone who's going to be a lifelong friend..."
I would have to say that when it comes to friends, I have several I would consider my closest and dearest and most of them have been people I've known since high school and college. Generally I like meeting people and in my line of work, I've met a lot of interesting ones, so I have a lot of acquaintances. But I don't take friendship lightly.
My closest friends are people who know me inside and out; who I trust and who trust me; who know my past, my present and what I want for my future; who I make time for and who make time for me; we can still carry on wherever we left off and we'll be there to help each other in times of need. And these are people who God had decided to place in my life and back then, I didn't know the impact we would have on each other.
Have you ever met anyone who left a lasting impression or had an effect on you? Many years ago, I had a conversation with a stranger on a bus which helped me make a decision that needed making. And I don't like to talk to strangers. I don't want to go into more detail, but it just so happened that I was going through some emotional turmoil and it shocked me when this stranger told me what I was feeling inside. He even said that it was no coincidence why he was on this bus, sitting next to me - it was because things happen for a reason and he was supposed to tell me what I needed to hear. After that bus ride, that was the last I ever saw of him. But I did come away with a lot more clarity..
So take a moment and think about who you've crossed paths with in your life and ponder on how they've made their mark, whether good or bad...
