Strangers with memories

We're not friends. 

We're strangers

with memories.

I feel like this is a really sad quote to start my post with, but am doing so anyway. It kind of prompted some thoughts and led me to ask some questions of myself.

 I felt sad because a couple of people came to my mind. Because of my personality style, I feel like friends should always be friends. Even if we're not as close as we once were, I don't understand why we can't remain on friendly terms. Why can't we each live our own lives, as different and as separate as they may be, and when we do meet, treat one another with friendliness?  Why do certain people feel like they must treat old friends like the strangers they may have become?

Then there are the friends that you do things with or see often and one day realize that there is no connection. For whatever reason, you are not friends. If one of you moved or quit the group, you recognize there would be no feelings of loss. It is a rather neutral connection. With a friend like this, I wonder what our relationship means to her. Just because I feel this way, doesn't mean she does as well.

Other friendships seem to last forever. I may not see or hear from her in months, but then our paths cross, and it is like we haven't been a part.

I know that friendship don't always last forever. I know that human life is finite, and I believe that only those who have a relationship with Jesus will live for eternity. I wonder though about the large picture. We have these friendships for this period and are friends for such amount of time. We can only see our side of these interpersonal interactions. If I only I could step back and look at friendships from a higher vantage point. What do all these relationships mean in God's big picture?

Friendships take work and effort.  Friendships happen. Oh the paradox of it all - whatever the reason we all know that friendships are made and take work, but we also recognize that you can't make anyone be friends with you. Frustrating - when I have worked hard to be someone's friend or to keep a friendship going, and it isn't working. Surprising - when someone treats me like I am are special to her and I feel I don't deserve her kindness; I have done nothing to encourage our friendship.

In five years, I don't know what friends I will have or which friendships will have faded into memories. I am thankful though that God has given me the friends I do have.

Some horses (and friends) come and quickly go.

Others come and leave hoof prints on our hearts,

and we are never the same.

Just a few photos from today. There was a Halloween Trail Ride Today.

Hannah & Paige

Emily

Johanna