Friendship

Friendship

I believe that life shapes us. It gives us moments that cause us to reflect. And lately I have been able to reflect deeply on the things that I have lost. But loss always provides something beautiful. It provides a gratitude for the things which we still have. And today I want to express my gratitude for one of my most prized possession.

I am grateful for my friends. I have been so blessed in so many ways during these last 24 (nearing 25) years. But of all of the things that I ought to be most grateful for, I should always remember that I have wonderful friends. I have been uplifted, supported, and improved by these amazing people. What never ceases to amaze me are the different walks of life that my friends have come from. Lutheran, Catholic, Atheist, Mormon and many other beliefs litter the past of my most beloved friends. Black, White, Hispanic, and Jewish are a few more of the distinctions that these people carry. They are all so wonderfully different from each other. And yet among these differences there is a beautiful commonality. They see me, and more importantly, they embrace me for who I am. This I believe is the true test of friendship. Do they truly accept and and love you for who you are inside and out? It saddens me that so many people are unable to answer yes to that question. No one in this life deserves to go through it feeling alone.

Someone on my mission once told me something beautiful. He said, "what right do I have to not like someone or think that they aren't totally awesome? After all doesn't God like them? Doesn't He think that they are totally worthwhile? And if He, the greatest of all, thinks that they are so awesome, what right do I have to think anything other than that?" That has always stuck with me. God loves all of His children. He loves us because we are so unique. I like to think of myself as a non judgmental person. But in many ways I know that I am. It is often hard not to judge a book by its cover. I am simply glad at this time that my dear friends have given me a thorough read through.

As one chapter ends another begins. A simple and profound adage that gives me hope for the future. I am hopeful. Hopeful for love, for marriage, for school, and for many many other things. This hope is driven forward by my friends. It is a fire that is given oxygen by the steady encouragement of those who love me in ways that I struggle even loving myself. Thank you. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your strength. Thank you for everything my dearest friends.

One of my life's greatest ambitions is to find and commit myself to my greatest friend. In other words I want to marry my best friend. I want my marriage to be one that is entirely based on the principles of friendship, loyalty, and dedication. I want to marry someone that I can talk to for hours... Hours and hours about nothing at all. It doesn't have to be deep. It doesn't have to be profound. It just has to be fun. Simple, enjoyable fun. I want my marriage to be a lasting trip of total and relaxed conversation with someone that I know will always be there to support, uphold, and correct me. A phrase that bears repeating for the rest of my life is the simple proclamation that I want to marry my best friend.

If your'e reading this then I must mean something to you. Some of you may be friends and some of you may be family. But if you are reading this then all of you at some point have shown me compassion and love in my times of need. For that I am eternally grateful. I live my life in fear that one day I will be forgotten. Thank you all for never forgetting me. Thank you all for being my friends. I was once told that if someone ever feels forgotten by us then they may feel forgotten by God.  I am so sorry if I have ever forgotten you. Life is a long and lonely road sometimes. I hope you all know that you don't have to walk it alone. Whether I am your friend, brother, son, former missionary, or acquaintance, I want you to know that I love you, and that I am always here to make lonely path feel a little bit more friendly.

Someone very wise once told me that most important thing we can ever do is make someone feel loved. I hope that I am able to do this for you. I hope that I am able to be there for all of you the way that you have been there for me. Break ups, letdowns, firings, social anxieties, religious doubts, etc. The list is endless. There are so many things in this life that hurt us. I hope you all know that there is a Balm of Gilead. We are the Balm of Gilead. God send us to each other. We are the angelic messengers of God. For each other. We are the way He answers each others prayers. Thank you all for ceaselessly being an answer to mine.

Love Jacob