Old Friends

I remember walking around the church after dark, playing revolution in NYI, camping at Boggs and telling ghost stories while I pretended I was brave. I remember being scared of Matt, being the go-to girl for Leah, youth services, watching as a 6th grader Amanda and Leah attempting to do precalculus and wondering what the heck they were doing. I remember long quizzing practices where no one had practiced except Andrew, girls nights where we thought the moon was a pickle, and extensive discussions from the college kids about how much they missed Olivet and didn't feel at home and my heart breaking inside. I remember Ben's wedding and sweating in the sun at the reception. I remember Leah's wedding and my first experience as a bridesmaid. I remember seeing Matt in Praize and Zion's Wake and wondering how many poor jr hi/high school girls were in love with him. I remember Andrew G countless times trying to convince me to skip 2+years of high school and go to college like him, or that I should, at the very least, learn a programming language. I remember sand volleyball at the Ketchem's and so many fake attempts to throw me into the pond. I remember uncomfortable discussions in NYI about sex, and the very few times in NYI lessons when I as a 7th grader or so said something worthwhile. I remember movie nights at the Stanley's, calling Leah every day during the summer and saying, "What do you wanna do today?" and the hobbies we picked up during the summer (golf, fishing, cake baking, sign language, etc).

I just finished talking to Leah Malone-Stump. I updated her on the old youth group. 2 married, 3 engaged, 6 completely single, 3 living in other states, all out of college and trying to find their place in this world. I told her I realized that I knew all this about all these people but I hadn't really thought about all of them at the same time in a long time. I wonder about each of them from time to time, thinking that I should give them a call. But some excuse almost always comes up. It's good that a few still live at/near home so I do see them. But what about the others? This was an amazing close-knit group full of talented people who should have every reason to be friends for the rest of their lives, or at least stay in contact. I was a bridesmaid in Leah's wedding for goodness sake, yet how long has it been since I've talked to her? 11 months since we last chatted. Longer since we talked on the phone. Even longer since we saw each other in person. If a group of people that grew up together and have countless memories, good and bad, can grow apart so easily, how easily are my other friendships going to fade as years pass? There are so many people that when I think about I find myself saying, "No, we won't lose our friendship!" But, how likely is it, really?

Though I'm pretty sure no one from that youth group still/ever reads my blog, I guess this is my way to say I miss the 'ol' gang.' But, alas! do not be down hearted, for I bring good news of great joy that will be for all you people. Today, Leah and I discussed an old NYI group reunion. Someday, somewhere a majority of us (or those of us who have nothing better to do) will reune (reunite? I think I like reune better. =) ). And they all rejoiced. ... ...

yay!