We continue the month of November focusing on the “fs” in our lives and we are thankful for them. Last week we focused on our family with a tree as the visual aid. This week we focus on our friends using flowers.
I thought of my friends and what they mean to me. Then I tried to fit them into a category that would describe them in a way applicable to you. Then I visualized a flower that served that function to help you label yours.
The first kind of friend in my life is a dandelion. Yes, I know that it a weed. But work with me. These are the friends that appear at certain times of your life and serve a certain function. In my life, these are the friends who have kids the same age as mine. They have changed many times over the years. I had a different circle of friends before my kids were school aged. Now my dandelions are the parents of my kids’ friends. I am blessed that these people have become friends for this season of my life. I know deep down though that when my kids move on, so will we. And they will spring up in someone else’s yard for a season. I don’t want to weed these people out of my life. Time will likely do that for me. But I am blessed to have them now.
Another kind of friendship in your life are the carnations. These are the people that fill out your bouquet. Likely they are your friends at work or school or in your garage band. You are together because you share a common goal. It might be to finish a project or cover an REM song. These friends aren’t your soulmates but you have a good time hanging out. Carnations are easy to find. They are pretty and hardy. They stay this way because you probably don’t risk sharing much of yourself with them. It keeps them from becoming too fragile.
Most of your friends are probably dandelions or carnations. They are, in many ways, a dime a dozen. But they bless your life anyway. You are truly blessed you have at least one of two types of flowers: the rose and the orchid.
The orchid is the friendship that was knit together through some experience. The orchids in my life helped me through life’s rough spots. They walked into the hothouse when the lamps were on. They helped walk me through the pain, confusion and hurt. Orchids are stunning but very fragile. If you have an orchid in your life, you have risked your inmost thoughts and feelings with this person. If she became an orchid, it is because she stuck it out with you. Now you have this stunning relationship that nothing can damage because you both protect each other from life’s frosts. I am so thankful for my orchid.
The last type of friendship is lifelong. It is a rose. It speaks its beauty by simply being. This is the one person who has known you forever and loves you anyway. You have grown up together. He or she has forgiven you too many times to count. Mostly because you were young and stupid. You share life’s stages together. And you are secure in knowing that real love never ends, no matter the time or distance between you. You know you can pick up the phone and start where last you left off. Even if its decades. I am blest to have roses in my life. They bring me unspeakable joy and comfort. The roses in my life have taught me what love is and for that I am blessed.
How about you? Who are your dandelions and carnations? What do you share in common with them? What makes them special in this season of your life?
Who is your orchid? Who stepped in when everyone else stepped out? Who is your rose? Meaning who never really left? Call them and tell them thanks. And explain how empty the bouquet of your life would be without them. I’m calling mine now. Is your phone ringing yet? If not, learn to be a rose and an orchid. If you do, I promise your phone will ring.
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