True Friendship

I sat with my longest friend for hours this morning

over coffee and a garden-grown breakfast.

We met when I was 4.

I had a stutter.

And she had the brightest personality.

She had thrown her arms around me yelling “my friend!” and immediately my stutter was gone

and we became immediate friends.

This has remained true throughout

the entirety of our friendship.

Those seasons when I’m stuttering through life,

She’s always there with open arms, no matter what,

calling out “my friend.”

I’ve lived many lives.

Traveled and lived in many places.

But this morning, I was home.

Not because I’m back on my old stomping grounds

but because I was in the presence of a rare and wonderful soul,

a woman who sees me

and knows me

and loves me.

True friendship is life-changing.

Even this weekend as I celebrate

another marriage of another dear friend,

many of us sat together reminiscing over

the strength of our sisterhood.

A tribe and bond so beautiful and sacred.

Women, may we be an open heart,

a haven, a home for one another.

Through thick and thin.

Calling forth inclusivity and unity.

Because there is no greater gift we can give

then stretching out our arms

to see, and know, and love.