long lost hello's

You check your inbox, your voicemail, your snail mail. You expect the same things each time you complete this task. You answer your phone and if you are like me, it is the same few people over and over again.

There are people you are friends with either because you work together, you have share some of the same interests, you children are friends, because you grew up together, or because you just click.

There are friends you talk to daily, weekly, via virtual communication, monthly. There are friends that you can talk to every 6 months and pick up where you left off. There are people who know more about your life than they probably should. Then there are people you are friends with whom have slowly drifted away. You casually mention them in your prayers, you think of them randomly, you hope they are well. You are sure there life is going good, you think you should get together sometime. You let life get in the way. you appreciate them for who they were in your life at the time. You are comfortable with everyone having moved on, comfortable with the way things currently are.

Then you get an email, a phone call, a voice mail. You learn that this friend has cancer. You immediately think you should call this person, you want to talk to them, to see how they are, to let them know you care! You continue on as you always have, work, kids, cleaning, errands. Only this friend takes a more center stage approach in your life. Your prayers for them more meaningful and frequent. Your virtual connection checked daily now. You thoughts more prominent. You promise that you will get together soon. You vow to not let life get in the way.

Then you realize, this is ok, this is comfortable, you may not see each other more often, you may have to let life get in the way sometimes. There are some people in your life you love but don't need to have constant contact with. This friend knows you care, knows you are there, knows you are praying and knows they are loved. There are people in your life that are only suppose to be there when they are needed. They are not fair weather friends, they are true friends that you can call whenever you need too! To chat, to cry, to pray, to know that you are love.

Tamara, you are an amazing inspiration. You are fighting this battle, growing stronger in your faith, becoming more beautiful everyday. You are refusing to be a victim to this pit stop in your life. You are a hero to your kids, your friends, your family!