I’ve been reminded of the blessing of friends this week. I returned to teaching after a week off for spring break (Though it felt like a month) and was delighted to catch up with my students. They are so dear to me. I loved meeting Olivia’s new puppy hearing about Bill and Katie’s trip to Spain, seeing Emmie and Adrianna’s tan faces, and mourning the thought that softball might prevent Julia from performing in the recital. 
I attended a baby shower ( A most stunning baby shower, I might add) and felt overwhelming gratitude for all the wonderful women who I have come to call friends at my church. As my to-do list requires me to keep a count down of our weeks here in Cleveland it has also made me more aware of the precious little time I have here with the people I love. At times I focus too much on the relationships I don’t have, I’ve appreciated this opportunity to realize just how many friends I do have. 

Cheesing it up with Jen Madsen

Jen Madsen is one such friend. We don’t “hang out” that much- but our boys have brought us together and I feel such a love and admiration for her. We joked about buying a duplex together in SLC before we knew where we’d matched. At the shower she gushed with excitement at the news that we’d sold our home, and her geniune support really touched me. She’s a solid reliable friend and I love her. 

There are so many women I admire here. Debbie- for her take me as I am, I love everyone and serve everyone personality. ReAnn for her love of family. Emily for her style and meekness, Janelle for her strong opinions and honesty, Cathy for how she can make anyone feel intelligent and loved, Lisa for how geniune she is, Dominica for her ability to inspire and seek excellence, Cicely for her fun, Mary for how she sets out to master a skill and does it, Claudia for her deep desire and constant action to do good, Emily for her devotion to God, the other Emily for her down to earth, easy to talk to disposition, Lisa for how she seeks the spirit in her life, Anne for her goodness and her playfulness. . . I could go on and on. As day by day I determine what kind of mother I want to be, I think of these women and they inspire me. 

In front of our favorite breakfast spot, Black River, with Obie friends Mary Price and her daughter Lydia and Katie Reed Williams with her husband Steven.
This week, I also had the opportunity to reconnect with two college friends: Katie Reed and Morine Sutliff. It was so fun to see where life had taken them, to reflect back on memories we shared, and to ponder yet again on our futures. 
Claire and I ran a few times, and as always, chattered the whole time. Oh, how I’m going to miss our runs/chats!
But it’s not all rosy. It’s times like these when I realize how many opportunities to be a friend I’ve missed. As I prepare to leave I want to bid final farewells to people that have meant a lot to me here. But then I realize it’s sort of awkward to do so when I’ve lived in close proximity to them for the past four years and haven’t made any contact. I’m not great at keeping “old” friends, or at least not showing that I’m keeping them. The reality is, that I think of those dear to me often, I just don’t always let them know. Why when I think about Megan, don’t I call her? (I’m worried I’ll catch her at an inopportune time, or I know I want to talk to her for a least an hour, and I don’t have an hour. . .) I often wonder how Natalie or Becky or Amaris are fairing, but never actually ask. I’ll sneak a peak at the lives of Alexis, Erin, Shelly on Facebook, but rarely message them. I’m a face time friend I guess. 
Regardless of my weakness at friendship, I’ve been richly blessed by friends who have shown me what friendship can be. And for this, I am ever grateful.