A Few Thoughts on Friendship

Wouldn't you know that since I said yesterday that I have nothing profound to talk about, today I was struck with a moment that showed me something new. Perhaps it isn't that interesting, but it made my evening much better, to say the least.

As I have mentioned before, I have taken to attending Tevis's church for the Wednesday night youth service. I love it. It is completely different than anything I have ever experienced church-wise, but sometimes it's good to shake things up. I have many reasons why I enjoy attending this service, but one of the biggest reasons I have kept attending is the people who I have met. From the first time I went into the church, all of the leaders were warm and welcoming. I know that many church leaders are welcoming just so that they can help their congregation grow, but there was something about all of those people that felt genuine. I knew that they all cared about me, but I just figured that I would be a face in the crowd after some time.

Fast-forward to this evening....

I happened to drive myself to church tonight, because Tevis had some church obligations that required him to be at the church much earlier than usual. That was fine with me, and I wasn't too bent out of shape from having to go by myself. I decided that I would go a slightly different way because I was tired of driving the same streets all of the time, and it would take just as long going one way as the other. I was driving down the street, and I hadn't been on it for more than three blocks, when suddenly I saw a smaller dog running through the street. I wasn't going too fast to begin with, but I slowed down to make sure that it got back into its yard. I saw that there was another dog in that yard, along with who I'm assuming were the dogs' owners. Just as I neared the dogs, who were in the yard at that point, the smaller one started running toward the street. I looked quickly, and it didn't look like it ran into the street, so I went on. Then I glanced in my rearview mirror to see that dog lying in a heap in the middle of the street. My heart sank, and I knew I had to turn around to go apologize to the owners because I felt really bad about it. I was on the verge of tears, and I slowed down to tell the lady that I was sorry I hit her dog. As I rolled down my window, I was bombarded with the lady, who was full-on hysterical, yelling at me. I tried explaining that I didn't see the dog, and trying to express how sorry I was about everything, all while bursting into tears. This didn't seem to affect the lady too much because she was still hurling insults at me, telling me, "You ran over my dog! How could you do that?! Are you happy with what you've done?" One of the men who was with her was much calmer and asked if I happened to have the number for animal control, which I didn't. I pulled into the driveway, so that I was off the street, and I got out to ask the other man if there was anything I could do, and, once again, profusely apologizing for everything. He politely told me that everything would be alright, and that it would probably be just as well for me to go on, so I did just that.

In the three years I have driven, I have yet to run over an animal, and I felt horrible. I was a wreck, but I pulled myself together so that I could keep driving, and get to church. Thank heavens, I wasn't wearing any eye makeup this evening, because that would've gone to pot after that whole ordeal. As I pulled into the church parking lot, I was calm and, most importantly, not crying. It was very obvious that I had been (one of the worst parts of being so fair-complected), but I tried to pull myself together before I went in and saw everyone, namely Tevis.

Once I went in, all of the usual people greeted me, just like normal. I was doing just fine. All of a sudden, one lady stopped me and asked if I was alright. Of course, that's when the waterworks came back out in full force. The next thing I know, I was collapsed into her shoulder, crying and hysterically explaining everything, and basically making a scene. Lovely...just lovely, because I hate getting hysterical like that in public, but it was just one of those things that happened. After telling her about the dog, and the hysterical, grieving woman, and everything else, a couple of other people circled around, commiserating with their own stories of hitting small animals, and they all embraced me with sincerity and warmth. About this time, Tevis emerged from the main room that I was about to enter before I had my emotional moment. Once he saw the circle of ladies surrounding me, and just me in general, he had this look of bewilderment that I will never forget. After getting the story from one of the ladies' husbands, I made my way over to him to talk and he gave me a big bear hug and told that it'd be alright. After this, he and the other men out there were doing their best to make light of it, and cheer me up, which they succeeded in, by the way.

Even when I was freaking out about little things, all of those people who really don't know me that well were so willing to console me without a second thought. That amazed me, and it is a nice feeling to know that you are cared for in a new situation. Just experiencing that made me feel humbled, and I am so blessed to be able to call all of those people my friends. I am grateful for their kindness, and I hope that I can return the favor one day.