How do I write this?
How do I say the things I want to say? My mind is full of words, of feelings, of hurt and hope and happiness. But there's an awful lot of room there, too.
My friends are carefully chosen, perfectly imperfect people I need in my life. If you're reading this, you must be one of them.
I've grown up moving around an awful lot- 12 homes in 24 years. So friend-making wasn't a strong skill. While some kids may have jumped at the chance to have friends all over the world courtesy of the Navy, I think I got more introverted. I focused inward, not outward. As a kid, that can be difficult. To relate better to the adults in your life than your peers. To know that any friends you made could have orders across the world in a month.
This isn't a sob story. I think it used to be, but I don't want that anymore. I have met some amazing people in the last decade. I've laughed and cried, been hurt, been ignored, been cherished, been uplifted by them all in one way or another.
I think for a long time the hurts I felt from friendship long outweighed the happy. But in growing up, and in growing out, I think I've tipped that balance. Or maybe you've tipped that balance. Thank goodness, because if friends are family you choose, I've chosen the best for me.
 |
Thank you for sharing your story of friendship. I appreciate your courage--sharing is hard for us introverts!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly can be hard, Elizabeth! Thanks for reading!
DeleteOh yes sister! You nailed it. What great insight you had on this one. Thanks for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debi! Nice to hear someone else feels this way too!
DeleteThank you so much, Denise!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story! I was a military wife for 20 years. Oh my the moving around was a killer on relationships. I began to put my guard up because it hurt too much to love and then have to leave. So thankful you are friending again -- and so glad I'm here as one of them!
ReplyDeleteYou spoke exactly the right words. Thank you, Alene, for understanding!
DeleteThis is a great post. My husband and I spent five years overseas as missionaries in a very transitory community. (The city was the base for language school, so many people would come through and be gone in less than a year.) I connected with this because, though I didn't spend my childhood moving often...which had to have been SO hard, I've lived in a community where I never knew how long a friend would stay. It is tough...but some beautiful things came from it, too. Thank you for sharing your story! (And thanks for stopping by my blog!) Blessings! :)
ReplyDeleteNow that I'm older I feel that I can appreciate what moving did for me: how it made me picky about the friends I had, urged me to be cautious, helped me be grateful about those I did have. But moving as an adult has its difficulties too. Thanks for reading, Mel!
DeleteI didn't move around much at all so it is eye-opening to me to read about life from the point of view of someone who did. It's really hard to imagine when you haven't lived it. Thanks for helping bring some of us into that world a little and helping us understand!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue! It always amazes me to see stories and movies and so on portray life as being in one place for so long- I wonder what it's like! It's hard for me to imagine, too.
DeleteI can relate! I moved a lot too, which meant I was always starting over. I too had mixed feelings of hurts and losses and yet hope and light also. I couldn't even write my post in just five minutes this time, as this word made all of these things come out. I also choose carefully as far as those friends I am closest too. I think that is great. We deserve to have these awesome , lovely friends in our lives and it's good to be choosey sometimes ;). Blessings to you! Loved your post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet words of encouragement! I'm so grateful to be able to find like souls through FMF. Thanks for stopping by, Rebekah.
DeleteMoving definitely shapes you. I never moved until I went to college, then I met my husband...Mr. King of Change. We have moved a lot in our nearly 11 years of marriage...it has its ups and downs for sure. Shapes friendships very differently than if you don't move. I am glad you stopped by my blog! Your blog title is precious too! I love being Mrs. C. :)
ReplyDeleteI almost felt guilty for including moving to/around college as one of my moves, just because I was half at home. But it was one of the first times I was truly away from my family for any amount of time, so it was a big step for me. Sometimes baby steps just don't work...Thanks for visiting!
DeleteFun in this picture, very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leovi!
DeleteMay God continue to bless your friendships....and be with you in life's transitions. :) Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Wick! It's those pesky transitions that I keep stumbling over, but I'm always watched over. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteThat's an awesome photo. Awesome when one's friends cherish us and hold us close in their hearts. I have a few of those.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tam. I'm so grateful to have the close friends that I do!
Deletemmm ... so many hear your heart and share your story!
ReplyDeleteLinda
Thanks, Linda! It's good to know that I'm not alone.
DeleteThank you so much for visiting me!
ReplyDeleteYou and I couldn't have more opposite stories. I have moved ONE time in my entire life. My husband and I both moved from our home places when we married and we have been here for almost 24 years. There are pros and cons with this. ;-) The good thing about being on the move is you don't have a lot of people in your business. hee hee
I am grateful God has given you some sweet friends now that you can do life with. He is so good to us!
Bless you!
Beth
Wow! I do think it was difficult to move so often- hard to put down roots and so forth- but I've heard mixed reviews about staying too. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteMaking and keeping friends is hard work, but so worth it, as I can tell you have learned over the years. Loved your post.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenn. Hard but rewarding! :)
Delete