This Reminds Me

Archive for September 20th, 2006

Julia is bringing home more and more writing samples.  Today’s work was especially nifty, because I just love lists:

Julia’s “My Friends” list – Matthew, Zachary, Sarah, Julie and Leo.  Not bad for a child writing exclusively in Cyrillic a few weeks ago.  Wait until Julia learns that “Tejas” means “The Friendship State.”

I’m not sure there was any particular order to Julia’s list.  Which leads me to think – if I were going to compose a similar list, how would I order it?  Where would I start?   We’ve always been blessed with great friends, including those who helped when we needed it most.  When I was in the hospital for a month having Lois – before she was hospitalized a month.  When we moved to San Antonio.  When Keith was traveling and I badly needed that second set of adult hands.  When we were engulfed in the murky grief of losing people we loved dearly – dear friends were there.  And most recently, during our 21-month paper pregnancy and dual-trip delivery with Julia, we had friends pitching in everywhere, including staying with Rachel, Lois and Hannah.

(sigh)

I do love lists.  All kinds.  For groceries, for packing, for gifts, for cards, for schedules and activities.  I’ve even been known to laminate a list or two.  But I’m glad I don’t have to make one like Julia had to create.  Because I’m not sure where I’d start.  And I know I wouldn’t want it to end.

Andrew Gold might have sung it best:

Thank you for being a friend
Traveled down a road and back again
Your heart is true, you’re a pal and a confidant

I’m not ashamed to say
I hope it always will stay this way
My hat is off, won’t you stand up and take a bow

So just like Julia’s teacher, to the friends I would list – and I am thankful I don’t have to – I say: