Tell someone you love them

I met my two best friends in high school. We didn't go to school together, and we didn't all go to college together. I credit the fact that we were friends in spite of geography to the fact that we are still friends. We never needed the proximity to make our friendships work. Wyatt and I have always been physically closer, but Jane and I have been great pen pals for the past 10 years, and true friendship doesn't need a visual reminder everyday. We have always been there for each other and they understand me like no others ever have.

There are a few moments in life when you realize the power of true friendship. With Wyatt, this happened in college. We had a fall-out and hadn't talked in months when late one night he showed up to my dorm room and said, "My dad's in the hospital." We spent the night on the futon, talking, and forgetting whatever rift had been keeping us apart. I was there for him when he needed me, no questions asked, no need to dig up the past. Friends forgive, forget, and love anyway.

Two weeks ago, Jane called me before I had gotten out of bed and said, "My mom just died." There aren't any words that can be said, nothing I could do but be there. All I wanted was to make it better for her so she wouldn't hurt, but it's not possible. We hurt because we love. The whole week was very difficult. Jane's family had been a second family to me since we had met, and her mom sent me more letters and care packages than my own family. I was always welcomed with them, and always felt loved. She was a teacher, coach, 4-H leader, church member, host mother, and a very active member of the community. She touched so many lives and will be so greatly missed by so many.

Jane and her husband live in Japan. The day of the funeral was the day of the devastating earthquake. Luckily they live in a southern prefecture and were not directly impacted by the earthquake or tsunami. Her family joined her in Japan the following week as they had been planning for months, despite all that had happened.

Spending time with Jane and Wyatt that week reminded me how much I cherished their friendships. I think sometimes it's easy to get lost in everyday life and take for granted the friends that you know will always be there. And I got to thinking too about how much we take all of our relationships for granted. Jane's mom passed away very quickly and unexpectedly. Three of my co-workers have lost grandparents in the past week. Life is short and unpredictable. Spend time with your loved ones. Tell them that you love them. You can never say it too many times.

There can never be too much love.