MORAL OF THE STORY:

“Seashells are a lot like friends. No two are exactly alike; they’re all one of a kind! I find friends along the shores of life. I always take them with me, everywhere I go. Each has lasting value to me, and I treasure the memories of where and how I found them. May your life be enriched and blessed by the friends you find along life’s shoreline.”

Susan Miller

In the past month I’ve had the pleasure of reuniting with many friends, some of whom I hadn’t seen in more than 30 years.

During a weekend reunion of a unique high school program, we shared perspectives on what we learned and experienced so many years ago.

While it was fun to recall high school days, my favorite part was hearing what my former classmates are doing, thinking and learning in the present.

We touched each other’s lives again as we shared about our struggles, joys and families over meals and fun activities.

We even began a book list of favorite books to catch glimpses of one another’s interests.

We have all grown and experienced a lot in the decades since being teenagers. There was a shared sense that life is precious as well as fragile, and we truly enjoyed connecting openly on deeper levels.

I appreciated my friends’ honesty as they gave me verbal snapshots of their lives, and I felt embraced as I shared about mine.

They listened sweetly when I told them how real God was to me and how He faithfully comforts me in sorrow as well as showers me with joy.

We were out of time long before we were “out of talk,” but we discussed the next reunion before leaving.

Looking back on that time, I realize that God has blessed my life through those friends from long ago; each one is a unique treasure in the shoreline of life.

And you can quote me on that.

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached at [email protected] or 537 Newport Center Drive, Box 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.