Friendship

Stillness at dawn invites me to step closer to myself and honor what endures. Friends.

Friendship has many layers. Especially friendships that have endured decades. The stillness of going within invites me to slow down and to honor the connections and enter into the quiet roots of my relationships with my friends.

Friendships that last need recognition not constant affirmation. Distance does not stop the beating hearts of our connection. In the stillness, I feel: the years shared without having to count them.

The precious moments where forgiveness was required and spoken no matter how difficult. The echoes of laughter I still hear ringing through my memories. The times where grief entered and we traveled together side by side. Long conversations shared that went into the wee hours as if time didn't exist. Cheers to life and sacred connections. Friends who speak and friends who listen. Thank you for holding sacred what has transpired.

Long friendships are like the reflection of the moonlight on water. It does not burn; it abides. Friendship waxes and wanes like the moon, but returns always as a gift waiting to unwrap its wonders and depth.

When I sit quietly in stillness, breathe, honoring friends of a lifetime and new friends who share depth, a subtle shift happens: Trust settles, breath deepens, and my nervous system calms. As my heart beats, it remembers the continuous flow of connection and the knowingness of presence and not effort. A kind word. A letter. A simple gesture or tiny gift that says, "I see you, I know you, I honor who you are."

Time has tested the love shared between friends and says, "I honor this relationship and I do not take it for granted...not ever!" "I am uniquely and quite keenly aware of the sacredness held within each of the ordinary times we have walked beside each other. And each word spoken and each heartfelt embrace. Whether in person, on the phone, or via Zoom."

We do not need any rituals to celebrate our friendship or words that are grandiose. I ask for stillness, a moment, a breath, as I place my hand on my heart and I silently say:

Thank you for staying.

Gratitude can settle when I become still and am able to remember that friendships that last do not require intensity, but require attention and acknowledgement that returns faithfully. We have experienced life long enough to carry our own perspectives...room for all. We have depth that stays embodied and not abstract. Whilst being deeply human and quietly luminous. Friendship when shared has a tendancy to bring out our shine.

Our friendship has been seasoned by all that life has to offer and still holds space to laugh at the ordinary and extraordinary experiences. Friendship needs balance and steadiness that offers space and light to be who each of us truly are.

Each voice deserves space.

Inner life matters.

There is more to unfold.

Keep listening to each other.

Keep becoming.

I trust your wisdom.

I honor your path.

I see your heart light.

Keep going in the direction of your dreams.

I know you.

I know how you live.

I know what you value.

We may not walk the same interior landscape, or always use the same language, but I see you and you see me. You see me with steadiness, sincerity, and honor my becoming as I honor yours. We have lived, reflected on life, and didn't allow life and all of the things we have grown through to harden us. Life has opened our hearts wide through it all and softened us.

We are still friends. That is the best gift ever.

Thank you.

Love always in all ways, Angela.