Friends, And Why They Rock

This is my last post of the school year. I have two exams tomorrow, so I have to study, and then pack, and then, sadly, return home. I thought I'd be falling to pieces by now, but I'm actually happier than I've been in a long, long, long time. I went through all the pictures I took this year (most of them are on Facebook, by the way. My profile there is private, but I still recommend Facebook to anyone. It's awesome). By the end of it I was laughing in pure joy. I was so happy that I decided to make my screen saver a "My Pictures Slideshow." It's officially my favorite screen saver ever.

It took me a while, but I have finally discovered the pure and simple joy that friends can bring. Whether it's walking around campus at 3:00 in the morning in the rain, or singing "La Vie Boheme" from RENT at the top of your lungs, or diving head first off a sand dune, or simply hanging out, there are simply some pleasures that can only be done in the company of friends. I'm blessed to have found so many this year, and there is such a diversity of them. It's amazing to me how some people can just waltz into your life and make a difference, no matter how big or small it is.

My friends have taught me so much this year. I've learned so much, and none of the lessons I learned in class can match the ones I learned from life (wow...that was cheesy, but it's staying). So, what have I learned? That friends are the most wonderful thing in the world. That you have to forgive yourself for your mistakes in order to feel forgiven, and that you have to move past those mistakes in order to truly live. I've learned that works of creation take time and patience, and that dreams of the future are all that keeps us going at times. I've learned that my heart loves the laughter of children. I've learned that God is good.

I've learned that I want to teach, and maybe even preach (in my own way). I've learned that even if I never find the love of my life, that I will have love in my life. If I never have children of my own, I will still have children. If I'm never famous or published, I will still make a difference. If the world ends before I do, I will still have been here, and if it's the other way around, then the world will keep going after I'm gone. It's all so beautiful, and my friends this year have taught me that, even if they didn't know they were doing it at the time.

You guys have helped, too. I have grown so much from hearing your stories, your testimonies, your advice, and your comments. Even though we've never met, I count a lot you (you know who you are) as friends. I hope that doesn't sound too weird. The way I see it, people used to have deep relationships by doing nothing more than exchanging letters. In the Information Age, the Internet is how we communicate, but it's not any less valid or meaningful.

I guess what I'm trying to say is "thanks." Thanks for being a blessing to me this year. You rock.