Friends

I don’t usually blog on Saturdays, but after sharing a light supper of soup and chicken salad with a special neighbor and going out to breakfast with one of my church buddies, I’ve been reminded of how blessed I am to have so many precious friends.  When contemplating true riches, good and faithful friends stand at the top of my list.

In the end, it is relationships that matter, not power, prestige, or possessions.  We may look at the rich and famous with envy, but there is one thing money can’t buy.  Authentic love and committed friends. If I have learned anything over the years, it is that friendships can’t be bought or sold.  Friendship is a gift of the heart.  And while I feel a lot of anger toward those in leadership these days, a much stronger emotion is pity.  I pity those so empty inside that they have to play power games to convince themselves they are important.  Being blessed with the love and support of my family and the bounty of friends I hold dear, I feel like the richest person in the world.

Yesterday, as my neighbor and I were parting, she gave me an envelope that contained a homemade valentine.  On the envelope, she had attached a colorful saying that brought tears to my eyes.  “I love people that have no idea how wonderful they are and just wander around making the world a better place.” And isn’t that what life is truly about?  Not getting rich.  Not making a name for ourselves.  Not being in positions of power and control but being someone who wanders around making the world a better place.