Again, I am going off of a quote. If you've read my little quotes list to your immediate right, you will have seen it before. It was spoken (or written) by Charles Morgan, and it goes as follows:
"There is no surprise more magical than being loved. It is God's finger on man's shoulder."
I want you to think back to your childhood. Remember the people who were close to you... and single one out who could be considered your best friend. If there's more than one, that's fine, too. What were they like? Why did you like to be with them? And most importantly, what did you feel like when they were around you?
I have a poem to share with you now. Keep that person in mind, and read this excerpt:
I love you
not only for what you are,
but for what I am
when I am with you.
I love you
not only for what
you have made of yourself,
but for what
you are making of me.
I love you
for the part of me
that you bring out.
I love you
for putting your hand
into my heaped-up heart
and passing over
all the foolish, weak things
you cannot help
dimly seeing there
and drawing out
into the light
all the beautiful belongings
no one else had looked
quite far enough to find.
There's more to it, but it's rather long - by Roy Croft, I think it is. Anyway, does this sound any familiar tones with you? It does with me. Here at college I have found some of the best friends I have ever known. And in doing so, I have discovered a version of myself that I didn't know before. It's true. They are the sort of friends that make me want to be my best self - and I have found that I love the person that I am when I am with them. They make me feel like I am someone worth being... and after hearing it so many times, I have begun to believe it. Just a little, day by day - but still.
Have any of you had those kinds of friends? Do you have any now? Then my thought of the day is this: the best thing you can do for a good friend to give them your thanks is to be a good friend back to them. It's easy to do, really... and it's such a beautiful feeling for everyone. I would also remind my readers that there are many out there who have not been truly befriended. May I encourage you to give of yourself to those who need it. A little love can work wonders - it truly can. A person touched by the love and belief of another can become almost a new being.
The effect is... how shall we say it... magical?
'Til next we meet my friends. Fare thee well...
Hi Rachel - Thank you for the comments about friendship. Friends are one of life's greatest blessings. I am so happy that you have found good friends at BYU. They will be some of your best friends throughout your life. You are one of my best friends. Mom (Pullan) has always said she enjoyed her kids most as adults because they became her friends. I don't know - I sure thought you were cute and fun when you were little, but I'm enjoying seeing you blossom in life as a young adult. Speaking of cute and little - Lydia has been practicing for the first grade program singing, "Baker, I want to be a Baker!" That brought back a flood of memories of a little girl dressed in a flowered dress wearing a baker's hat stirring a big bowl. It seems like yesterday... Love you, mom
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