BY JOELLEN COLLINS
I would like to consider the concept behind the initials for “best friend forever” an acronym surfaced through our online communications. I can picture two young girls sending messages indicating that they love their BFF. I think it’s lovely, but it can narrow some aspects about friendship, especially if you live a long life with many different locations and adventures and companions.
I recently visited some of my dearest friends who have been with me for a variety of number of years. My longest friendship is one I began the first day of high school. Always “my best” friend, she certainly has lived up to my expectations about the kind of friendship we have, full of loyalty, laughter, honor, compassion and adventure. We are like sisters. Because of distance and time away from our relationship, we have, of course, formed other wonderful friendships.
Recently, I visited some very close friends and I thought about my rich relationships over a very long life with the kind of women and men I’ve been privileged to know, dedicated pieces of my writing to, thought about a lot, kept in contact with, and treasured all my life. They have also been the best kind of friends (BKFs?) possible for somebody to cherish and honor today.
The time that I just spent with them was way too brief, but I didn’t feel my usual sense of horrible loss when departing from friends and family. Oddly, I was joyous at my good fortune in still being able to be, even rarely, with such treasured friends. I wouldn’t change any experience I’ve had with any of them. I have grown and matured and become the kind of person I am today because of their incredible influences of character, intelligence, kindness and loyalty.
When I came home, I was still smiling. I hadn’t wept over not being able to be with these cherished people, but instead I possessed a greater sense of what all of them have meant to me. I simply awaken each morning to the thought that I am grateful that I have aged as I have, that I’m still here, and that I am fortunate to be able to do some things physically and mentally with which other people my age struggle. I treasure each day, socialize, and generally laugh and have smiles during most of my interactions. So, what I finally realized was that instead of mourning not being near the best kinds of friends one could ever encounter, I can remember how wonderful my life has been because of them. Together we have experienced ups and downs, thrills and sadnesses, but I have always had people I could count on to help me through whatever was going on or to share my joy. As a result, my positivity and sense of being comfortable with my current experience has been formed by my BKOFs in whatever period of my life I met them. I’m thankful today for every moment I have been privileged to share with so many good people.