Lost and Finding Joy

When I was 5 or 6 years old we moved to a new house across the street from Kristy. Perhaps childhood friends leave the strongest imprints since they are the first impressions and are the longest lasting memories. Kristy was my first best friend. Faunne moved in next door within a couple of years. I don’t remember many things, but I am grateful for the memories that I do have.

You probably remember these kinds of friends. They were the ones we would color pictures for if they were sad or if we wanted to say, “I’m sorry.” We played games like, Uno, Sorry, Candy Land, and Monopoly. We made whirlpools in the swimming pool and played Marco Polo. Sometimes we even played in the tree house or played football in the front yard with Kristy’s big brother, Michael. We loved playing Lemon Twist, Hop Scotch, and riding bikes while pretending to be one of Charlie’s Angels.

I remember being close to Kristy’s mom, Becky. She made delicious meals, and often invited me to dinner. I remember they always had a huge garden in the backyard — along with at least (3) Chow dogs. The black one was named, King; and I think the red one was named, Chico. I remember one was named, Baby. I remember swimming and picking green apples off the neighbor’s tree from Kristy’s backyard. I can remember having Family Home Evening at least once with their family. I don’t remember the details, but it was about tithing, because I remember the cutout dimes Becky made.

I remember playing “Stiff as a Board, Light as a Feather,” up in Michael’s bedroom during a birthday slumber party. My big sister and Kristy’s big sister climbed up on the roof, and dangled a sheet in front of Michael’s bedroom window, scaring all of us to death. We ran downstairs screaming. We wouldn’t go back upstairs that night, and I think my sister and Kristy’s sister got in a lot of trouble that night. LOL!

I remember washing dishes at their house in scalding hot water, because their dishwasher wasn’t working properly. I remember drinking Nestle’s Quick chocolate milk at Kristy’s house, and thinking what a treat that was. Most of all I remember what a great friend Kristy was and what an incredible family I was blessed to be included in.

I remember going to Faunne’s house a few times before we moved. I remember she had a candy drawer and she was generous in sharing that candy with her friends. I remember laying on the driveway and looking at the clouds making shapes out of them. I remember one conversation Faunne and I had on my front porch swing about the existence or non-existence of God. Her family didn’t believe in God. Mine did. I sincerely asked her, “How did we get here if there was no God?” Her answer was, “Our stomachs.” 🙂 We were probably 8 and 9 years old at the time. We may have had different upbringings and belief systems, but none of that mattered. We were friends! The world would be a much better place if everyone could be that way as adults.

I remember moving away on my 10th birthday. I was sad to leave my forever friends.

I am grateful for the memories. I am grateful for the friends who left imprints in my heart — those who walked along beside me through this journey we call life. I will forever be grateful for Kristy and Faunne.