What is a Friend?

Every time I visit my sister's house I make a point to use her master bathroom instead of the main bathroom, which is the first choice of most guests. The funny thing is that my sister, her husband, and all three of her children know I prefer this bathroom. I don't choose to go in here because of the wall color, the square footage, or the running magazines. This master bathroom contains one far more important item that draws me to it.

On the wall there is a small frame with a quote. This article was given to my sister from her husband and words within this frame sum up the love the two share in one simple sentence.

"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live a day without you." - A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

When I think of Winnie-the-Pooh I think of the many lessons my children learned about friendship and love from the honey loving bear. This bear managed to teach some of the important lessons everyone should know about finding a true friend and being a true friend. Some of these simple lessons come to mind as I stop and think about some of my closest friends and just how special the friendship we share means to me.

In less than thirty-seven hours my best friend is heading out for a journey that I simply cannot understand. Although I was raised in a Christian home and attended church every week, I never really learned about the life of a family serving God in other areas. It wasn't until I agreed to care for a little girl while her parents went to work and school each day that I began to learn about the life of a servant from a family who lived this life. I could never imagine that that signed daycare agreement was the start of an amazing Winnie-the-Pooh friendship.

Choosing to have a best friend who lives the life of true service with her husband and children is not like have a best friend who works at a local bank. Our friendship takes long distance relationships to a whole new level. I have learned that this distance just makes the times we do have together more important. I have also come to realize that whether this distance is a few months or even a few years, as this one is, we manage to pick up right where we left off.

The laughter, tears, milestones, love, loss, and memories we have shared over these last eight years have been unforgettable. Although I am no more prepared for her to leave this time than I was the first time, I am proud of her for her choices. I am thankful God gave her a willing heart to serve Him and share His gospel.

My dear friend Chelsie, 
I pray for your safety and health. I pray for your family on this journey with you. I pray for your strength. I pray for your ability to laugh. I pray for your memories of us laughing to remain fresh on tough days over the next two years. I pray for opportunities to talk with you in some form until I can hug you again.
I love you my friend!

"We'll be friends forever, won't we, Pooh?' asked Piglet. Even longer,' Pooh answered" - A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh