Broken Heart

Friendship comes in many shapes and sizes. Back when pea green and black zig zags were in polyester fashion, friends were rare for me. Before the age of fourteen, I moved from one home to the next eight times. Making friends didn't come easy to an introverted, shy little girl. Having a rare first name didn't help things in the school yard, either. Careful of whom to approach I longed for a best friend.

By the time my Sweetheart and I arrived in New Zealand, we had moved six times in ten years of marriage. By then I was an old pro and much more outgoing. Encouraging my own children to embrace adventure I told them -with great anticipation- that our friends were waiting for us and they didn't even know us yet.

A year into our new adventure one such friendship had blossomed with a neighbor of ours. We had developed such a wonderful bond, sisters in spirit, if you will, that our families did a great deal with each other. We quickly came to appreciate how wonderful they were, their terrific perspective on life, their concern and advocacy for a green New Zealand and a sustainable Earth, & their passion for outdoor sports. We even had kid-swapping weekends, our children were so close in age, and it was amazing to see how cool their kids were. We relied on each other and it felt great being able to do for them anything we could.

Just by being her self, I learned so much from my friend. Her generosity is inspiring to this day, even though we have moved back to the States nearly a year now. Alyssa received this necklace from her daughter, best friends they had become. When she first opened the package, her eyes brightened and I recognized how much she loved her friend and wished for the day when they again will share fairy tale dreams and puppy dog greetings. Planning a trip to visit with each other won't come lightly nor very soon. Trying to explain this to a five and seven-year-old isn't easy, but they seem confident that indeed that day will come. And when it does, we all know it will be as if we just had dinner with them last night.

When I traveled to Italy many moons ago, I was told by my Italian teacher that the Italian perspective on friendship was like a beach, every pebble a friend that comes and goes in the tide of life. However, this gold broken heart hangs about Alyssa's neck in defiance of such lightheartedness. The distance is only making the heart grow fonder between these two best friends, feeding the mutual notion that their bond is strong and true no matter where they physically live.

We are fortunate to have so many friendships like this with people living all over the world. We may not be in contact very often or perhaps once a year, but when we do meet again no time is lost between us in this tide of life. Yes, Friendship comes in many shapes and sizes, but I try to never take them lightly. Like a polished gemstone, with unique and special attributes, I treasure & count my blessings; each and every friend.