Thursday night we did what friends of thirteen years do. We halted our plans, we helped pack, we drove their kids here and there, we bought pizza, we packed more, and we hosted the family in our home. On Friday we shared #thelastbreakfast, we helped packed some more while the boys played, loaded boxes to ship and loaded more boxes to take to the store. And, at 1:00 p.m. we hugged, said our "I love you"s and watched them walk down to Benjamin's as a family to say their final goodbyes. And, as we got in the car to drive away, I cried.
Keith didn't sleep well on Thursday night and decided to take Friday off to see them off and work on the bathroom. But, instead he jumped in and did whatever he could with the packing details. At the end of the night, as we sat watching their cat and our dog get acclimated Keith said "who would have helped us pack up? I really don't think they would have." IE, he's saying "who are OUR PEOPLE?"
The bottom line is, it doesn't matter if we were/are "their people" for a long season of our life they were "our people" and we needed to do what we did for them. It was honoring to our friendship... to the years. His comment helped me realize he is also seeking to know "our people".
Who knows who our local "our people" will be? Maybe we already know them and our friendship will deepen? Who will come to our aid when we need to move? Or when one of us is sick? Or when we just need friends. Maybe we'll go a long season without a family friendship this deep. We don't know. But, this I know, this about us...introverted people...
"..are ideally suited for friendship. They often have more empathy for others. They tend to want to meet anyone’s needs if they can, so it is natural for them to do that for a friend. HSPs are also less competitive--unless they are sure they will win. But even then they do not want those who lose to feel bad, so they would just as soon not turn everything into a match to see who’s best. Introverts like to have a few close friends, or perhaps even only one, a best friend. They like to have deep talks about the meaning of life or help each other through problems and crises. " (Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D., November 2008: Comfort Zone ONLINE)
We are friend-worthy. We are good friends to our friends. I know this in my heart of hearts. Some forge. Others take. We are forgers. Always. The forging work of friendships.... of showing love and investing... is painful, sometimes heart-breaking and often unreciprocated. But, we love because HE first loved us. And, we love because. Just because. Because that's what close friends do. That's the only way we know how to do it.
(Harrison enjoying his parting gifts in his room: Hilary Clinton mask, working stop light and couch/pillows.)
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