.You Find Out Who Your Friends Are.

I've spent a lot of time lately reflecting on a few friendships I have. I have some super great ones and, well, some that are falling off the face of the earth. I've spent the last few days truly reflecting on these "one-way-street" relationships...you all know them.... the ones where I call you....I text you first.....I always check in and when it's convenient for you, you respond or just because you feel obligated, you call me when you have time but it's usually in between other appointments or when you're not shuffling everyone where they need to be.

I pride myself on being a great friend. You can count on me. Dependable. Reliable. Giving. Loyal. Compassionate. Loving. Honest. All the things I am I expect back....I don't feel that it is unfair to expect this. Relationships are hard work and love is required always.....it is reasonable to expect you to reciprocate the same love and work that I give when you consider me to be one of your good, or even best, friends.

I read a quote once that said, "Being a friend isn't about being there when it's convenient....it's about being there when it's not" I know we all have busy lives and schedules. I know we all have a ton of things on our plates....but it doesn't mean I don't need you....yep, there sure are a lot of people in my life but your perspective is what I need sometimes.

Then, in the midst of contemplating all of this, I realized that sometimes the people who love you the most are the ones who hurt you the most. We take for granted the gift of each other....the relationships we have created....and someone, undoubtedly, gets hurt. Some people may call me over-emotional but I do take every relationship in my life seriously. I care about you. I care about your heart and how it's feeling. I want to know how your day was. I want to hear about the mundane things and the big things. I want to share with you my heart and how it's feeling. I want to listen to you. This is the kind of person I am. The kind of friend I am. If you don't like it or can't take it, there's the door but leave and shut it....don't let it stay open and linger.

The best relationships in my life have come from a great deal of love and hard work....along with a whole lot of honesty. How is it that these relationships I have nourished are lacking? Because I'm tired of working for both of us. Because I am important too. Because I can't be both ways on a two-way street.

Fourteen months ago today I lost it all....and I still remember that feeling every day....the act of taking someone I love for granted. Maybe if we considered that tomorrow God may have a different plan .... well, maybe you wouldn't wait for when it's convenient ... maybe you'd take this moment to meet me in the middle .... but until then, you'll know where to find me ... I'll be here.