Friends in Unexpected Places

Just as the bloom of a flower seems to pop up unexpectedly from time to time, friendships have a way of sprouting in unexpected ways.

Alexis made friends with this darling girl at the pool one day. It worked out that they would meet each other after school and ride home together every day. The more they chatted, the more we learned her story. She was actually living here temporarily - the hurricane had destroyed her community in Puerto Rico, and her family was separated between finding refuge here and still living in Puerto Rico. The family who had stayed had been going months without power. She was a joy to spend time with, and her resilience with being in a new place, away from her family and everything she knew, was inspiring for Alexis and helped strengthen her in her new chapter as well.

As we connected with her story, I couldn't help but reflect on how much connection truly matters for all of us. While she and Alexis had been through vastly different life experiences, they had been brought together not by coincidence, but by Divine design. It was a joy to see them look forward to seeing one another each day, and how they'd ride their bikes home so slowly just to spend more time chatting. They truly lifted one another. It had me thinking how their friendship started in such a simple way - Alexis was actually a bit nervous to go chat with her the first time at the pool, but overcame that worry, and they had a great time swimming together. This experience has had me thinking about connections I could be more proactive in - and how meaningful they can become. 

We were so sad when we heard she'd be heading to a new place and school (but were so happy to hear her family would be reuniting again). Alexis surprised her on her last day with a gift - a journal for her to write her new adventures and a necklace to remember their friendship.

Our second unexpected friend has been Wilma, one of the crossing guards. She and Abigail had a connection from the first moment they met. Whenever Abby is having a "moment" (as all three year olds do), and isn't wanting to go on the bike ride, I remind her that Wilma will be at the corner wondering where she is, and she jumps on the bike and goes to meet her friend. She jumps off her bike and gives Wilma the biggest hugs. And Wilma hugs right back. And I smile, simply grateful to have a front row seat of this tender connection. After Abigail had asked all kinds of questions about Wilma's whistle, Wilma surprised her with her very own whistle and she wears it every day. She told me she wants to be a crossing guard when she grows up. So sweet!