This week, I paid my last respects to a Godly man that had a huge influence on my childhood. He and his family are very special to me. It was a sad, yet joyous occasion, as we know, without a doubt, that he is spending eternity in Heaven, and we will see each other again.
During his son's eulogy of him, friendship was mentioned. The importance of true, real, long lasting, friendships. He called them "ceramic mug" friends. At that moment, the woman sitting next to me reached over, grabbed my hand, and gave it a squeeze. I returned the squeeze, as tears filled my eyes. The woman was my oldest, dearest, most true, longest lasting, "ceramic mug" friend. The son went on to say, that friendships like these are rare, and very hard to come by. The mutual hand squeeze was a recognition and verification of that fact...by both of us.
You see, she and I have been friends for getting close to 40 years (YIKES!). No matter how far apart we live, whether we went to different schools, single, married, divorced, no kids, kids...it has never mattered. No time or space has been able to break this "ceramic mug" friendship. We haven't always been in the forefront of each other's lives, but we are never far from each other, in our minds. It's the kind of relationship that picks right up where it leaves off...every time.
I've had lots of friends over the years Most come and go. The ones that last, that see you through thick and thin, that laugh when you laugh, cry when you cry, and never, EVER judge...those are the ones to hold on to. They may just be there for a season, but it will be a friendship that you will reflect on fondly. Hopefully, you have at least one friend like this. I am honored to have a few.
As I sat there, my hand clasped tightly in hers, tears flowed down my cheeks. I found myself overcome with gratefulness. I am so thankful that God saw fit to bring us together, all those years ago. Given our circumstances in that moment, I did not tell her my feelings. I should have. As a matter of fact, I think I will tell her right this minute. Gotta go!
Fill up my "ceramic mug" friend with my apprecation and gratitude? Don't mind if I do...
