Friends

I wanted to go to a park this afternoon with one of my fabulous guy-friends. I wanted to swing and talk and not think about school and homework and a job. I wanted so badly to find a swingset and let my worries fling away into the sand. And I wanted a friend.

As I was walking home from campus trying to think of who to invite to my impromptu escape, I had to stop where I stood and stare at disbelief at my phone. I found myself dismissing nearly every person on my contact list as a candidate for my company because they were 1) on a mission 2) at work 3) in class or 4) a random person I've talked to a total of two times (not deep conversation friends).

Holy cow alone is an awful feeling!

I don't know why it hit me when it did, but I kind of hate that it had to hit at all. Missions are wonderful and I am so proud of all the wonderful people in my life who are going out and serving, but the selfish Cambry kind of hates that all her friends decided to leave at once.

On the other hand, this is good for me. It forces me to branch out an be uncomfortable. It forces me to interact with new remarkable people. And if forces me to evaluate the kind of friend I am. I could be better.

These past few months have stretched me farther than I knew I could be stretched, but I have been incredibly blessed with earthly angels. People truly are remarkable and sweet and an enormous blessing in my life. I am so grateful for people who will follow a prompting to say hello or ask how I've been. Those are such simple things, but they truly do make all the difference for me.

Words cannot express my deep gratitude for the influence people have had in my life. I hope that I will be able to listen and provide those little things in other people's lives. And maybe I'll be able to help repay those who have been there right when I didn't realize I needed them. Because that's what friends do.