Visiting with a childhood friend

Last week I traveled to Illinois to stay with my parents. My mom's birthday was Wednesday & I wanted to surprise her. It's also important to her that I celebrate Easter so I came home.

I had an added bonus during this trip because I saw one of my childhood friends. I hadn't visited with her for 15 years. We lost touch after her twins were born, and time flies. I didn't even know that she moved four years ago.

It didn't seem like she had changed at all, and I feel like a completely different person than I was in high school. Yes, I still have a soft heart and a kind spirit. Yes, she still centers her life around her faith in God.

Although we have taken different paths, we chose our lives. I chose to travel, see the world, and live in different places. I chose experiences that expanded who I am and how I view the world. She chose to live in the same state where she grew up. She chose to marry and have children. She chose experiences that kept her world focused on what's important to her.

It's ironic that her children might be "leaving the nest" before my children arrive in my life. I wonder what her life will be like. I wonder if she will feel the same restlessness that I've felt as I contemplate what's next.

Yes, we're on different paths..... we also still love & care for each other in spite of the time apart.