FRIENDS

Everybody has friends. Friends come and go. Sometimes we make a friend, and then that friend moves, but we always remember that friend. Some of us have friends that we spent a lot of time with as we grew up. Then there are the friends who have passed. Never forgotten. They will be remembered for all of our lives.

We have friends who we may only get to see at a school reunion. Or a friend who calls and says that they are passing through town, and would like to see you for an hour or two. We have friends who are like a brother or sister. Some of us have friends we consider as part of our families. Some friends, we would do whatever we could for them. Other friends, maybe we can only stand to be around them for a short period of time.

When a friend passes we all kind of go back in time and remember the good times and the fun times. We remember the get-togethers as we grew up. My memories have been stirred and the passing of a good friend has me remembering about the years of folk dancing. Me, stumbling and fumbling to learn the steps the first couple of times. I did it just so I could meet some of the girls who were in the group, not knowing that I would come to like folk dancing.

I dated one of those girls all through high school, and got to meet the other girls. I came to know them all really well. Plus, folk dancing was a great way to spend a Saturday night. It didn't cost a lot. At some point, I started to feel a real close bond with everyone in "our" little group. As time passed, they were more like family -- brothers and sisters. 

As far as I'm concerned, they still are family. Even though we are scattered around the country, all any of them needs to do is call and I'll be there.

My friend will be missed by many. She will be remembered by many. Her suffering and pain are at a end. And, our suffering and pain will also end at some point. She is now dancing with, and for, our Lord, and with other family and friends.

I'll always remember my first dance exhibition at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, all those years ago. 

I'll miss her smile, and the little sparkle in her eyes. I'll miss the chance to dance one more time with her in the park.