Monthly Reflection

Dear Friends,

As we journey through life, we form friendships that shape who we are. These friendships begin at a very young age on the playground, in school, and in PSR classes, where bonds are formed through play, shared laughter, and common interests. We run, paint, play games, and discover joy together. At that age, friendships are simple and pure. When they end, because a family moves, a new school begins, or paths naturally change, the grief is real, yet often brief. We adapt and move forward.

As we grow into our teenage years, friendships continue to evolve. Some remain, while others fade due to distance, differing choices, or changing priorities. We may attend different schools, move away, or find ourselves no longer aligned with the decisions our friends make. Even relationships can change as romantic interests enter the picture. While some are blessed to keep close friends from high school and beyond, many learn that friendships, too, have seasons.

In adulthood, friendships take on deeper meaning. We seek companions we can confide in, those we call regularly, meet for coffee, and share our worries and joys with. These are the friends who become family by choice, not by birth. They walk beside us through life’s triumphs and sorrows, offering understanding, laughter, and comfort. When such a friend is lost, especially through death, the grief feels heavier. It lingers longer, leaving a deep emptiness.

Each loss we carry in our hearts brings its own kind of grief. Some sorrows are brief; others remain with us for years, shaped by the depth of love, the circumstances of the loss, and the role that person played in our lives. Grief is never the same twice, and it does not follow a timeline.

Yet, through every season of friendship and every experience of loss, there is one constant. While friendships may change or be lost, even through death, Jesus remains. He is the friend who promises never to leave us, never to abandon us. In our sorrow, He holds us in His eternal gift of love, offering comfort, hope, and the assurance of God’s loving embrace.

With care,

Renee Weese

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