It’s interesting that as we age, grow, and learn that the twist and turns of life seem to no longer be as traumatic as they were when we were younger. Perhaps this attitude comes from experience realizing that failure is rarely fatal. Or perhaps it is because of the friends we have met along the way and the relationships we have developed letting us pool what we have each learned in order not to have to take the fall ourselves and help prevent members of our tribe from having to fall unnecessarily. Shared knowledge is a beautiful thing!
Some friends are placed at your crossroads. Possibly seen only for a season but never forgotten. Some walk with us on parallel paths who at times divert for a time and return. And there are those who from the very first encounter are with us for the entire journey only to be separated by death. Still that physical departure never fully separates us from them. They are with us always in spirit and in our hearts. Regardless where friends enter our stage of Life or where they exit “Stage Left” I know that the fabric of me would not be as rich and as colorful without a great supporting cast!
Some are still present, some have moved on, some have gone on but I am thankful for all.
Past, Present, and Future.
“And still they lead me back, to the long winding road”
The Long and Winding Road
Will never disappear, I’ve seen that road before
It always leads me here, lead me to your door
The wild and windy night, that the rain, washed away
Has left a pool of tears, crying for the day
Why leave me standing here, let me know the way
Any way you’ll never know, the many ways I’ve tried
And still they lead me back, to the long winding road
You left me standing here a long long time ago
Don’t leave me waiting here, lead me to your door
You left me standing here, a long long time ago
Don’t keep me waiting here (Don’t keep me wait), lead me to your door
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Carey Writes 
I think of all of those who have come and gone, and it seems that my closest friends always move away or die. And just recently another “best” friend moved away. But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. . . And that is more encouraging that you can know.
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