Monday, March 12, 2012

Best Friends...

For the past couple weeks, I've been thinking about what it means to be a true friend. 

A friend who brings out the best, works through the worst and appreciates the jumble in between.

Someone, whose greatest happiness comes from the other's positive state of well being.


Russ and I took advantage of one of Idaho's scarce sunny, late winter, days and as we walked, talked, laughed, fell through the snow and paused for quick kisses, I think I figured out a little more of what being a true friend, a best friend, really is. 

The words of Aristotle looped in my head:

"Friendship is one soul...


...living in two bodies"



We talked about memories we had shared over the years, and of moments that we cherished from our individual childhoods. We wished that there was some way to share all the joyful moments that formed us into who we are, so that we may better understand, better love, more swiftly grow into the companionship; perfectly aged by time, trial and love, of our future. 

I asked him, "Won't it be weird when you know all of my stories? When there is nothing new to tell about 'back when'?"

He asked if I ever thought that day would come.

"Well, at least the stories worth telling, I guess you'll know."

---

But, that's the thing about friendship, about true, persevering love, all the stories--the fear of sturgeon, the preference for mangoes, the opinions on sheet quality-- hold some worth for telling at some point or another.

Accepting that there will be quirks, accepting that there will be differences, understanding that the other half is still just trying to figure out their place in the world, just like you, but in their own way; and embracing them as a companion, as a help mate, as a piece of a whole that is your shared entity...

I think of Jane Eyre:

"sometimes I have the strangest feeling about you. Especially when you are near me as you are now. It feels as though I had a string tied here, under my left rib, where my heart is, tightly knotted to you in a similar fashion. "



I have a lot to learn, a long ways to grow; but, I am abidingly grateful for the strength, peace and love provided through true friendship and trying my best to be a true friend.

2 comments:

  1. Cambra, this is absolutely beautifully written! I love the developing of a relationship - the knitting together as you share all of your stories and yourself.

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    1. Thank you, Cindy! That means a lot coming from you!

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