Poem from Steph

I've been thinking lately about the importance of friendships - even after marriage, which surprised me the first time a newlywed friend mentioned it. I thought your need for female friendships would take a backseat after marriage, but she was the first of many to assure me that wasn't true. Anyway, one of my dear sisters in Christ, Stephanie, sent this to me & it perfectly describes our college group of friends - I adore those 7 women & am amazed that each of us being so different and at different stages in life hasn't changed the bond we have. It's pretty amazing. *happy sigh*


When we honestly ask
which persons in our lives mean the most to us,
we often find that it is those who,
instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures,
have chosen rather to share our pain,
and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand.

The friend who can be silent with us
in a moment of despair or confusion,
who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement,
who can tolerate
not-knowing, not-curing, not-healing
and face with us the reality of our powerlessness . . .
make it clear that whatever happens in the external world,
being present to each other is what really matters.
Henri J.M. Nouwen