Make new friends, but keep the old (en tu corazon, por siempre)

On Saturday, I was in a wedding in Memphis. I arrived there Friday for a bridesmaids' luncheon and went to the rehearsal dinner that night. The next day we had to be at the church at 2 for the 5:00 wedding. There was much excitement, much hustle and bustle, and I knew it was going to be a fun weekend.

However, I knew that there would be sadness in the midst of it all as well.

A family friend passed away last Thursday evening and his funeral was held the morning of the wedding. In one day, I sat in two different churches under two very different circumstances.

I realize the situation could have been more dire for me personally. It could have been my wedding day, or it could have been my father who passed away. Even though I had distance from each situation, I still felt so much sorrow for my friend who lost his father and, at the same time, so much joy for my friend who was getting married.

The older I get, the more I see joy and sorrow run side by side.

Also, the older I get, the more sentimental I become. This weekend made me reflect on the distance I feel from certain friends that will always mean so much to me, but who I rarely speak with or see anymore. Those friendships have run their natural course, I know that, but there's a connection I'll always feel toward the friends I knew when I was younger.

Now I more easily accept that some friendships are only for a season, I even expect it. It doesn't mean I like it, but I get it now...

... by the way, none of these thoughts have to do with the fact that three of my best friends just moved away. Nooo. Nope.

{here are some old photos I dug up this past weekend}