The Meaning of Friendship

Last updated on: April 13, 2016 at 9:46 pm by Rebecca Frech

The Meaning of Friendship 2016-04-13T21:46:23-05:00 Rebecca Frech

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ella and Erika met at their little brothers’ preschool playgroup. Ella was a shy 6-year-old in bright colors and glitter, and Erika a friendly 5-year-old who only liked to wear black. One born on the summer solstice and the other the winter solstice, they were instantly two sides of the same coin and immediately inseparable.

When Ella developed Juvenile Rheumatoid arthritis the next year, Erika slowed her pace to the speed of a girl on crutches and carried the things Ella couldn’t. When the doctors put Ella on the chemo cocktail that ultimately sent her into remission, but also made her too sick to do much but lay on the couch, Erika asked her mom for board games and coloring books that she knew they could both do. If Ella was too sick even for that, she simply sat on the couch and kept her company.

When she was too sick to play, the other girls we knew lost interest and found other friends with whom to adventure and play make believe. But not Erika. Through sickness and remission, able-bodied and paraplegic, this tiny girl somehow saw what even many adults could not – that beyond the sickness and the constant turmoil was a friend worth waiting for.

People often talk about how amazing Ella has been in weathering the storms of the past four years. I look at these two girls, and often think that the truly heroic one has been Erika. These have been some of the most difficult years I’ve ever seen anyone live. Ella had no choice but to find her way through them. Erika had the option of leaving, but chose instead to stick close and walk through it beside her.

I have learned my from my daughter about the values of strength and perseverance, but Erika has taught me about what it means to love and to truly be a friend.

I will be forever grateful.

Me and the amazing woman who raised such a great kid. We are blessed to have their family in our lives.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

April 5, 2016

Go buy the Pope's new book!!

Next Post

April 18, 2016 Confirmation - Passing the Flame

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In Hebrews, what two things does the word of God judge?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Truth and lies The thoughts and attitudes of the heart Good and evil Right and wrong