tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554498168264477884.post4022831360979260968..comments2023-09-26T03:53:17.142-04:00Comments on Pentimento: True FriendshipPentimentohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161146891505294679noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554498168264477884.post-31241080365536915012011-12-04T13:29:48.134-05:002011-12-04T13:29:48.134-05:00Thank you, Enbrethiliel! Love you!Thank you, Enbrethiliel! Love you!Pentimentohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17161146891505294679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554498168264477884.post-82536599229550439202011-12-04T12:50:32.737-05:002011-12-04T12:50:32.737-05:00+JMJ+
I know a woman who believes that we are, a...+JMJ+ <br /><br />I know a woman who believes that we are, at best, only 80% compatible with any new person we meet, although we can, with some work and love, grow more compatible the longer we remain in the relationship. <br /><br />My birthday came recently, and one of the people who celebrated with me was someone I've known for nearly fifteen years. She and I were probably only 40% compatible when we met, becoming friends only because she transferred to our school from another country and I happened to be in a tiny pool of the most fluent English speakers. In an "ideal" world, we never would have hung out. In this fallen world where people get dealt bad hands, she has grown into my best friend . . . and I into hers. <br /><br />For a long time during those fifteen years of knowing her, I often moaned that I didn't feel truly close to the people I was supposed to be closest to--including her. On my birthday, I realised that I've never been closer to any friend in my whole life. And this realisation was the best present ever. <br /><br />I hope and pray, Pentimento, that even if you don't have a friend you are very compatible with now, that you have already found someone who can and will grow with you (and perhaps is already doing so), and that one day you can look back at the decision to move to your new town with great thankfulness and joy.Enbrethilielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03414765854670926854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554498168264477884.post-23036806199304619232011-12-03T18:01:07.507-05:002011-12-03T18:01:07.507-05:00Over the decades all of my best friends have moved...Over the decades all of my best friends have moved away. We know we are best friends even though we don't talk on the phone often or write letters; when we do get together every few years it is as though we had never been apart -- we are incapable of growing apart.<br /> My godmother, bless her heart, lives close enough that we can have a cup of tea often. So I do thank God for one such friend. <br /> But in your situation, with young children, the lack is much more painful and logistically significant.GretchenJoannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13641677400029070452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554498168264477884.post-18559328992277591802011-12-03T14:00:40.189-05:002011-12-03T14:00:40.189-05:00I'm with you on that situational loneliness. E...I'm with you on that situational loneliness. Even having my sister living with us is small help because she's chronically ill and often sleeps when not working. Thank God for the internet and dear friends who happen to live far away!Melanie Bettinellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12557248434888642114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554498168264477884.post-75247832634470305152011-12-02T16:26:44.703-05:002011-12-02T16:26:44.703-05:00Love you back, Mrs C!Love you back, Mrs C!Pentimentohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17161146891505294679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554498168264477884.post-4493930113955023392011-12-02T16:05:09.354-05:002011-12-02T16:05:09.354-05:00Love you! btw i just met someone from B. you need ...Love you! btw i just met someone from B. you need to meet!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554498168264477884.post-78162578154574176942011-12-02T15:05:56.600-05:002011-12-02T15:05:56.600-05:00It is incredible. I can hardly get my mind around ...It is incredible. I can hardly get my mind around it. God is good.Pentimentohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17161146891505294679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554498168264477884.post-4196095898477212002011-12-02T14:28:34.438-05:002011-12-02T14:28:34.438-05:00The story of your friendship (with the anonymous f...The story of your friendship (with the anonymous friend who'll be going to China) is really incredible! I'd be verklempt with gratitude if my own sister went to China for me (though she very well might, especially if one of my children were involved). <br /><br />By coincidence, pretty much, because when it came up I'd been reading the TOB-related link from this post (and I think as the linked blogger acknowledges, the referenced "TOB types" are not representative of the actual TOB) my husband's out mailing a letter to my 9-year-old's overseas pen pal, who's the son of an Internet acquaintance. They've been at this for a while now. Maybe if they keep it up when they're older, it will become a deeper sort of friendship, whether or not they meet. I had one pen pal like that, before the Internet era.ex-new yorkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554498168264477884.post-78727859386059755272011-12-02T12:03:48.138-05:002011-12-02T12:03:48.138-05:00I know what you mean about true friendships. I ha...I know what you mean about true friendships. I have had the blessing of having a few truly deep friendships as an adult. You know, the kind of friend that the moment you met them, you knew that no matter where you all went in life or how separated in miles you became, you would be friends forever. I actually only live close to one. But I treasure the others beyond imagine. <br /><br />I'm so glad that you have someone willing to go with your husband to help bring Jude home. There are times in China where you really do need two people - paperwork is hard to complete with a wiggly or fussy toddler on your lap and paperwork must be done. Can't wait to hear the news you have received your TA!Kimberliehttp://www.carpeveritatem.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com