Even though we’ve changed and we’re all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we’ll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we’re not all still friends. –unknown author

I saw this quote this morning and it fired off my own story. In 1985, I was eager to see Lubbock, Texas in my rear view mirror. I only moved a couple of hours down the road, but it felt like I was moving a couple of thousand miles away. And at the time, that was a good thing! I wanted to be anywhere but Lubbock. I had no desire to maintain relationships with classmates from high school. And I did not anticipate having much contact with college friends.

This crazy world has taken me to several places to live since I packed up my little rental truck in April of 1985 to depart Lubbock. My mother’s death six years later brought me back to Lubbock once again for extended visits. This crazy world has taken me on the roller coaster ride of life. Accidents, illnesses, miscarriage, deaths, and all of the pains associated with raising children have contributed to the craziness. I have had my share of mistakes and perhaps someone else’s share too. But I would characterize myself as being pretty independent through all of those experiences. And that is not a good thing.

Over the past two years have had the blessing of coming to each other. I have reconnected with old friends from school. And I have formed unbelievably great friendships with those that I knew only casually. I have even met and befriended people that were in the same school building, but we had never met each other.

Have we changed? I think most of us have changed for the better! Are we still trying to find our place in this world? I believe that to be true. I also believe at this point that nothing will change so much to the point that we will not all still be friends.

I have lost a good deal of that independence that characterized earlier decades of my adult life. And that is a good thing. I realize now that when the tears fall or a smile comes across my face I will eagerly seek out my friends. Life is to be shared. Life is to be lived in community.

The bond all of us that grew up together share is hard to describe. The commonality we share is pervasive. I am thankful to be both connected and reconnected. I am thankful that no matter crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we’re not all still friends.
And that is a good thing…