New Year with Old Friends

Since 2011 rolled around, I have been hearing quite a bit about a new year, new diet, new choices, and new national champions. But don't go so fast to get to the new. Old things can be just important...especially when it comes to friendships.

Early on in my work with kids, I had the privilege of living in St. Louis and being the Klife director for five years. It was nothing short of miraculous for me. More than anything, it has proved to have been a season of friendship building that I still enjoy today. I was young, and the kids I worked with were even younger. Now I am starting to get gray hair and they are starting to have their own kids. Many things have changed except the friendship...it's even better.

A new year does always bring new opportunities, but there is nothing like an old friend. Time that I spend with St. Louis folks just seems to get sweeter and sweeter as the years roll by. This past week I had a chance to be in St. Louis on two separate occasions to see Mike and the Bobcats play some basketball. While I was there, it was great to see some old Klifer's. Faithful, fun, encouraging, and even more spirited than our opponents cheerleaders, they came out to support the Wiebe Family, Mike, and cousin Weston (it worked...we had two great wins).

I am always excited to meet and make a new friend, but I am more thankful for the old ones that grow sweeter with time. I intend to make it a point to enjoy those more this year...