What About Your Friends?
I vowed I would NEVER take another road trip three years ago after traveling with my family for vacation. My childhood was full of road trips, I have paid my dues.
I changed my mind when my parents found out their close friend passed away, COVID travel restrictions a road trip was the only option.
Seeing my parents mourn their close friend hits your heart differently. My mind went immediately to my friend Layla it was her father who passed away, I knew for certain I had to take this road trip to support my friend. I couldn’t imagine losing my father.
I packed my bag and a lunch climbed in the rental as we took the 13 hour trip to South Carolina. It didn’t matter the time or length of the trip. We were more concerned with being there for friends who were more like family.
Now my father should have selected a SUV instead of the minivan, sir I mean it was just three of us a SUV would have been just fine. I had to stop myself from complaining, the complaining wasn’t going to get the miles driven so I just decided to hush!
During the ride I reflected on life and friendship how they are so precious and valuable. Friendship means being there in the time of need without a request to be there. It means showing up not with words or material things its your presence of support that is important. Friendship isn’t about being selfish it about being selfless at moments. I thought about how we must all enjoy the moments we have, life is fleeting, these are the good ol’ days. As we passed through Asheville, full of mountains and picturesque scenery I thought of my friend Layla. She was laying her father to rest as I was riding in the car with my father and mother. Tears rolled down my face as I whispered thanks to God for this very moment to create memories.
Arriving to the services to support my friend and her family made my heart smile. Hearing the words of so many both family, friends and church members it brought tears to my eyes that Layla’s father made a huge impact on the lives of so many. Throughout the service I looked over at my friend whispered prayers for her family and her mom who was now a widow. Knowing that Layla planned the entire service for her father which moved me to even more tears to see her strength during this time.
We stopped by Layla’s mom’s house after the services to just spend some quality time. Karmen, Layla’s daughter was in shock to know that we drove for 13 hours to just be with her family. Layla told Karmen, “Karmen, that is what friends do.” Whew I had to fight back tears.
We live in a society where friendship isn’t honored. We jump from one bandwagon of friends to the next. We lack the supporting friends in trying times. We don’t know what it means to disagree while still loving your friend. We believe it is necessary for us to be served, while we remove ourselves from ever serving. We yell that’s my sister, that’s my brother yet we run at the first sign of any trouble or tribulation.
Friendships aren’t always pretty, they aren’t always wrapped up in nice gift boxes, they don’t come without some resistance. What friendships are is being and staying in the corner of the one you love. Praying for them, fighting with them and for them while remaining in covenant with them. It makes me nervous when I hear that a person has fallen out with every person they know. What does your friend circle look like? What kind of friend are you? Can you say that you are a true friend or are you a wishy washy friend? The kind of friend you are speaks to the person you are in my book. Life is short take time to love on your friends. If you struggle in the friendship lane, it’s okay we all can do better and grow from here.