The Many Kinds of Friends
I am grateful for the gift of wonderful friends – some for reasons, some for seasons, and some for a lifetime. Each type of friendship has shaped my journey in ways that are hard to measure. Some friends came into my life during shared projects or work experiences, and though the friendship was brief, it added something meaningful. Others have been part of my life for a season, a chapter that eventually closed but left me with treasured memories. And then there are the lifetime friends, the ones who have walked with me through every change and challenge, and who have become woven into the very fabric of who I am.
Gratitude helps me hold each kind of friendship with appreciation. Even when a friendship fades, gratitude allows me to see the gift it offered while it lasted.
Making Friends as an Adult
Recently, I’ve been reading the book Let Them, which speaks to the challenges and joys of connection. It points out something that struck me deeply: how difficult it can be for many adults to make new friends. Between busy schedules, family responsibilities, and the barriers of modern life, building deep connections can feel daunting.
Making friends takes effort and often begins with a deep breath and an act of courage. For me, that courage looks like being the one to reach out, to extend an invitation, to make the call or send the text that says, “Let’s get together.”
The “Let Them” Practice
The book Let Them also talks about the power of release, and the idea that we can’t control how people show up for us. If someone doesn’t return the call, if they don’t respond with the same energy we give, the practice is to “let them.” Let them step back, let them choose differently, let them be who they are.
This practice is harder for me. My instinct is to hold on, to keep reaching out, to make sure the friendship doesn’t fade. But life and gratitude are teaching me that friendship is a dance, not a solo performance. Sometimes I lead, sometimes I follow, and sometimes I have to step back and let the rhythm shift.
Gratitude for Reaching Out
Still, I don’t regret being the one who reaches out. Gratitude reframes it. When I make the call, plan the lunch, or organize the walk, I am practicing generosity. I am offering connection as a gift, not as a transaction. Friendship is not about keeping score; it is about showing up with love. Gratitude helps me see that my efforts are not wasted, even if they are not always reciprocated.
And sometimes, to my delight, friends surprise me by reaching back in unexpected ways—sending a note, offering help, or simply showing up at the right time. Gratitude makes those moments shine even brighter.
Letting Myself Be Loved
The more difficult part for me is the “Let Me” side of friendship. Let me be supported. Let me be cared for. Let me receive. I am so used to being the organizer, the initiator, the one who holds the threads together. Allowing myself to lean on others requires trust and vulnerability.
Gratitude is the bridge here. When I pause to give thanks for the ways friends show up for me, I realize I don’t have to carry everything alone. Friendship is mutual. Gratitude teaches me that receiving is just as holy as giving. And, when I receive gratefully and gracefully it brings such joy to the giver!
A Circle Without End
Friendship, at its heart, is a circle. We give, we receive, we learn, we let go. Some friendships are short chapters, others are lifelong novels. All are part of the story. Gratitude keeps the circle whole.
When I look at my life, I see that every friend has left me richer, whether for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. The laughter, the tears, the shared journeys, the lessons learned, all of it is a gift.
On this day of gratitude for friendship, I honor the connections that have filled my life. I give thanks for the courage to reach out, for the wisdom to let go, and for the grace to let myself be loved.
Friendship, like gratitude, is not about holding on tightly. It is about opening our hands, opening our hearts, and allowing love to flow in and out freely.