what makes a friend for life?

I have been blessed with many friends but there are three

friends who I consider life friends.

Friends who have been there since elementary school,

through high school and now as adults. Even

though we don't get to visit as often as we would like,

I call these three my life friends.

They are Tanial, Laurie and Ann.

Today, myself and two of these life friends came together

to bury Laurie's daddy.

This blog is not about us, however.

It is about my great niece Abby and her life friend, Jessica

who happens to be my friend, Laurie's 11 year old daughter.

Ann and I arrive at church and visit with our dear friend Laurie

and her family.

We take a seat and my Abby comes sit with us.

Where Abby is, Jessica is not far behind.

Lisa, Abby's mother sits in the back with her parents.

I am so glad Abby has decided to sit with me because

we don't get to visit as often as we would like to.

Having Jessica with us adds to the conversation and

they are being silly friends, making me laugh before the mass begins.

Once mass begins we all listen intently as the pastor

speaks to us about Mr. Nolan and I hear Jessica sniffling.

I reach across Abby's back to comfort Jessica.

This I believe, causes her to cry more

and this is when I am able to witness a moment of life friends.

My Abby notices that her friend is having a rough moment.

They, like Laurie and I, have been friends since 1st grade.

They know the worst and the best of the other.

My Abby, this special sensitive child,

takes her friends arm in hers and intertwines their arms together.

She holds Jessica's hand with their arms wrapped and she

grabs her purse to pull out two Kleenex's one for her and one for Jess.

I am now teary-eyed.

I have my arm around the both of them

yet I am beaming with pride and honored that I have

been a witness to my great nieces' show of love for her friend.

She too is crying because she has pain for a friend.

She holds her friend until it is time for us to leave church

then Jessica goes to be with her Mom.

I hug my Abby I whisper in her ear,

"You are such an awesome friend"

and in true Abby form with tears running down her

beautiful face she shakes her head and says....

"I know"

She doesn't lack self-confidence either.

I realize that our Abby is a very special child and

I also realize that what she and Jessica have

is the same friendship that I have with

Laurie

and

Ann

and

Tanial.

A life friend.

I love you Abby and all you stand for.

Be true to yourself and don't let the world change

your sensitive side.

Sometimes you remind me of myself and I am

so darn proud that you are my niece.