Silver and Gold

"Make new friends, but keep the old.  One is silver and the other gold."

I have known the ladies in this picture since I was an awkward, annoying 7th grader.  We have shared laughs, tears, and New Kids on the Block concerts.  When we are together, the years melt away and we giggle and chat like high schoolers.  We got together at a lake house this weekend for a sleepover and "girl time".  We stayed up until 3:00!  That's the thing about old friends-you can pick up right where you left off as if no time has passed.  The same day as this picture was taken, I had lunch with Kelley.  It might be hard to believe, but we STILL talk almost every day-even though an ocean separates us.  She knows me as well as anyone.  That's another thing about old friends-they really KNOW you.  They remember you as a teenager, a college student, a young adult.  They were there for your triumphs, failures, and embarrassments.  They have seen it all-and still love you.

The funny thing is, I find myself missing my "new" friends too.  I thought that once I got home, I could just press the "pause" button on Turkey for a little bit.  What I failed to realize is that they too are an important part of who I am.  One great advantage to frequent moving is the opportunity to constantly make new friends.  I think that when you live in the same place for an extended period, you tend to socialize with the same people day after day, year after year.  Nothing wrong with that, but making new friends is just as important as keeping old ones.  They meet you where you are, and might walk you through a particular season of life.  They inject fresh energy and life into you.  They don't know the "old you" and never have too.  They too are a great blessing.

So today, I am thankful for ALL of my friends-both the silver and the golden ones :).