I wouldn't have wanted to miss this post about friendships, but being away from home and doing more outside the home has kept me from posting earlier! I had 600+ pictures on my camera when I ran out of space yesterday, my card is in the photo shop being downloaded so we have room for our DisneyLand pics!
SPT - Old Friends/New Friends
I used to judge myself based on the type of friend I used to be - a sort of easy to friend, easy to offend ideal that as you might have guest, didn't work out for me. It wasn't until I met Craig that I realized I had friendship all wrong. Seriously, the moment I saw Craig in our Singles Branch (church) in Vancouver (Sydney is a former member too) I knew that I could trust him. He had the most honest expression on his face I knew instantly that he would be an awesome friend. When we began to date two months later, I wasn't disappointed, he was who I thought he was.
The final change in my attitude toward friendship was when Craig and I moved to Washington DC, where we had the privilege of attending and serving in the same Asian Branch (church) Craig served in on his mission in 1990. For the first time, I realized that I had something to give. That I could be a friend without expecting anything in return. That I could help and not feel offended that I wasn't being helped in return.
These two events meeting Craig and this service experience made me be a friend instead of expecting others to be my friend. I often find myself alone in a new area, wondering when I'm going to make a friend, when are the people in my new ward going to be more open with me. Yet there is always a few or one person who walks through the crowd of onlookers, reaches out their arms and gives me a giant hug and says, "We're glad you are here!" It's true, every place! I want always to be this type of person, the one who opens her arms, who befriends, and reaches out.
When I got into blogging, I remember the first person besides my sister to comment on my site was Kristi. She was right there during the beginning stages of my blog and I really appreciate her giving of her time to get me acclimated to this new world of friends! It's been such a blessing to see so many people supporting each other. I hope to insert some pictures when I get them back in a post later on - a sort of SPT Friendship Addition! Check out my 100 list in the works! I've got 34 so far!
SPT - Old Friends/New Friends
I used to judge myself based on the type of friend I used to be - a sort of easy to friend, easy to offend ideal that as you might have guest, didn't work out for me. It wasn't until I met Craig that I realized I had friendship all wrong. Seriously, the moment I saw Craig in our Singles Branch (church) in Vancouver (Sydney is a former member too) I knew that I could trust him. He had the most honest expression on his face I knew instantly that he would be an awesome friend. When we began to date two months later, I wasn't disappointed, he was who I thought he was.
The final change in my attitude toward friendship was when Craig and I moved to Washington DC, where we had the privilege of attending and serving in the same Asian Branch (church) Craig served in on his mission in 1990. For the first time, I realized that I had something to give. That I could be a friend without expecting anything in return. That I could help and not feel offended that I wasn't being helped in return.
These two events meeting Craig and this service experience made me be a friend instead of expecting others to be my friend. I often find myself alone in a new area, wondering when I'm going to make a friend, when are the people in my new ward going to be more open with me. Yet there is always a few or one person who walks through the crowd of onlookers, reaches out their arms and gives me a giant hug and says, "We're glad you are here!" It's true, every place! I want always to be this type of person, the one who opens her arms, who befriends, and reaches out.
When I got into blogging, I remember the first person besides my sister to comment on my site was Kristi. She was right there during the beginning stages of my blog and I really appreciate her giving of her time to get me acclimated to this new world of friends! It's been such a blessing to see so many people supporting each other. I hope to insert some pictures when I get them back in a post later on - a sort of SPT Friendship Addition! Check out my 100 list in the works! I've got 34 so far!
3 comments:
hi michelle: i loved reading your post on friendship. good introspection on yourself :)
i think friendships/relationships are one of THEE best gifts we are given in this mortal life. we are so blessed by these relationships that we journey through life with. very cool how you changed your idea of what a friend is, that is not so much what can they give to me. that shows maturity and growth and a happy heart.
~blessings to you this night, bloggy friend :) kathleen
ps. and i still love how you said, "i believe that everyone who shares their story can give hope and understanding to another." you are a kind warm person and i sure enjoy reading your blog :)
Michelle, you are such a wonderful person! What a wonderful post. I wish you lived closer, and we could have lunch sometime! I am so glad that we have crossed paths thru the wonderful world of blogging.
I remember when Dirk and I moved into a new ward after we got married there was a couple there who phoned us up, (we did not know them beyond their faces)and invited us out to a hockey game and then over to their home for dessert. I was so impressed that they reached out to us like that. When we moved again, there was another couple who invited us over the first week we met them in church.
Since then I have tried to follow these good examples and be more open, especially to new people who may not feel comfortable yet.
Excellent post.
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