A week ago our whole family made a trip over to our alma mater, the University of Idaho, for a volleyball tournament that was being held there. Our oldest daughter, Kaitlyn has been playing on a club team all winter long and this was to be her very last tournament for the season. We were so excited that it was going to be held at the Memorial Gym on campus. We had been planning for months to go and had been counting down the days. Some of you may remember from an earlier post that we had also gone back in September for a brief visit. This time we were able to spend the whole weekend. We spent a little more time looking around campus and saw all the changes that have taken place.
It was a bit strange though as all of the college students were away on Spring break. The campus almost seemed lonely. It gave us a great excuse to check out some of the new buildings on campus as well as visit some of our old favorites.
But one of the most exciting parts of our visit was that my dear friend Misti was able to come, all the way from Alaska I might add, to watch Kaitlyn play!! It was so awesome to see her and get to spend some time with her. As we sat there watching Kaitlyn play, we couldn't help but to think how amazing it was that we were actually sitting there, on those same wooden bleachers that have been there for a century, in the Memorial Gym, watching a game. Never in our wildest dreams would we have ever thought that would happen. You see, both Misti and her husband went to the University of Idaho which set the events in motion that led to our friendship. Isn't life incredible?
As I reflected on my weekend away at the University of Idaho I couldn't help but to contemplate my life, the places I have lived since I left U of I, all the experiences I have had and the people I have met, how my life has changed but has yet still stayed the same. Sometimes, I wish I would have accomplished more by now. Sometimes, I wish I would have gotten my Master's degree. But the things I am most thankful for and proud of are my family and my friends. They have always been constants in my life, especially a few of my dear friends.
Once in awhile those dear friends can truly become part of our family. We share in their joys and their sorrows. In return they are there for us when we need them the most. Sometimes a dear friend can be brutally honest with us when we really need to hear it or just be there when we need someone to listen. They can lift us up when we are feeling low and give us strength to carry on. That is, at least in my mind, what a true friend is. You know, the kind where you don't care if there are some dirty socks on the floor and a few dirty dishes in the sink when they come over.
I feel truly blessed to have Misti in my life. We may not even live in the same town but she has always been there for me. Thanks again for coming...all the way from Alaska...we love you!
