Love In A Wornout Sweatshirt

Cindy missed her friends in Maryland and was not happy to have to come to this new school across the country, her senior year of high school. I had been in school with the same kids since kindergarten. Leaving my junior year felt like an adventure to me. I could make new friends and be whoever I wanted to be. We both came to Coconino with different attitudes that year.

Quickly, I realized that neither of us was going to be accepted by this group of teens who had been together for years themselves. So, Cindy and I became each other's best and pretty much only friends that year.

It touched my heart when she left at the end of the year and gave me her favorite 'Maryland' sweatshirt that she wore everywhere. Now that shirt was like the Velveteen Rabbit and had seen its share of wear. But that was exactly what made the gift so touching. It was her warm hug on a cold day, and she wanted me to have it.

I wore that raggedy sweatshirt, and we soon lost touch. Years later, we reconnected with the help of the internet. It was great catching up and remembering the connection we had in high school. With my 4 delightful kiddos in tow, Ron and I planned a stop at her house on our family vacation.

As I packed for the trip I remembered the sweatshirt. Luckily, I found it right away and tucked it into my suitcase. The tender look on her face as I handed her back the much loved sweatshirt was a treasured moment. She had a history with that shirt before our friendship. I had memories after our time together. Now not only was the sweatshirt back, but so was the connection we shared. Friendships can last a lifetime, even when a decade goes by before 2 hearts reconnect.

In Him,

Joyful
5-17-2010

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