The Kindness of Sharing Life Histories

"There is no friend like an old friend who has shared our morning days, no greeting like his welcome, no homage like his praise."
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Recently, I attended the wedding of the daughter of one of my childhood friends.  The bride's mother and I went to school together from 3rd Grade all the way through until we graduated from high school.  We grew up together.  We have known each other's families and we have shared many experiences.  Seeing my friend at her daughter's wedding was amazing, inspiring really.  My friend has been through her share of life's challenges, but there she was looking both beautiful and triumphant as she celebrated her daughter's major milestone.  Several of us who have known my friend for decades watched with great happiness for her -- she not only pulled off the perfect wedding for her daughter, but also managed to get her daughter to this moment in her life.  No small feat.

The morning after the wedding, I texted my friend to tell her how beautiful everything had been and how grateful I was to share the evening with her.  She wrote back:  "Thanks for once again being a part of the history of my life!!" 

When we are young, the moments that we spend with friends are effortless and naturally become part of our shared life histories.  As we grow older, being part of each other's life histories sometimes involves effort and juggling.  But when it comes to those friends whom we treasure, being a part of those important moments is a great kindness -- and a very mutual one.