2/2/24- Celebrate- It's Friday!

I remember when I was swimming every day, before and after school. I lived for Friday. Many people at my age still live in anticipation of Friday. It's a feeling that we made it, accomplishment. And even though I spent Monday through Friday with friends in school and in the pool, there was a different mindset on Friday. Friday birthed a new excitement around getting together with my friends.

I took for granted these instant communal friendships in my youth. I had a built in network of friends that I could laugh with, encourage and be comforted. I remember the times after college when we moved back to Raleigh from Asheville, into the neighborhood we would raise our children. This was when I realized how blessed I had been with all those swim friends that were very similar to me. We worked hard, and we played hard. This was when I started praying that God would bless me with great friends. His gifts have overflowed. I am beyond thankful!

"Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear my words,

that they may learn to fear me all the days they live on the earth,

and that they may teach their children."

Deuteronomy 4:10-

All the more this feeling of love, connection and comfort we shall have when we reach the gates of heaven.