Silhouettes

Friend. For me that term mean something intense. Something sublime. Something fully of, well, SOME thing. Friends are a wealthy of love and support; a balance of truth and grace. A friend is someone to laugh with, to cry with, to have debates with, to count on. Friends trust each other to be truthful and kind; serious when appropriate and humorous when needed; a friend is to be relied upon and cheered for and to be held accountable.

Our family has been blessed with Godly, wise,  and loving friends.

Sometimes friends are found in family. I stand in awe of the bond between my children and my brother's children. I pray that it grows stronger each day. They are all so close in age and they already hold each other accountable for the things they do and say and they do it with such love.

Our church family has been, well, full of friends. Friends who hold our family accountable, friends who pray for us and for whom we pray. Friends with whom we celebrate.....

and share baby stories and sing......

friends who make us laugh and smile.....

friends who openly discuss and debate and educate .....

 friends who are both peers and role models....

friends whom we trust with our children and our country's safety......

friends who we miss and with whom we can pick up at any time.....

 Friends who go on wild adventures with us......

first friendships (and one which we can't imagine ever being without).....

 I could have included many more pictures on this page and some of the people whom I did want to include I was unable because I don't have a picture of them! Yet we are with them frequently talking and laughing and crying and seeking advice and giving counsel and just being with them.

I don't analyze my friendships, but it is good to review and ask "Am I being a good friend?", "Am I meeting the needs of those about whom I care?", "Am I maintaining confidences and preserving trust?", "Am I cheering on accomplishments and comforting the losses?"

I cherish those whom God has allowed me to know. I work towards showing them that truth. :)