a good friend

Have you ever known someone for so long that they become such a part of your world that you can't really imagine life without them? I'm not talking about your spouse, or a sister or brother, or even a parent. I am talking about a friend. Say, someone that you work with, that you interact with day in and day out for years. Ever have anyone in your life like that?

I do. Her name is Elizabeth. I met her in 1995 when I first started my job with the pharmacy.  If I am completely honest, I didn't really like her much then. And I am reasonably sure I wasn't her favorite person either. Over the years we have both grown and changed, maybe we have even matured somewhat. (I know she has, I'm just not so sure about me.) As we watched people come and go from our workplace, it slowly became apparent that we were in this for the long haul. Lifers, I guess you could say. And slowly, we became friends. And for the last 12 or so years we have worked closely together in the same department. That strengthened our bond.

She has seen me in my lowest moments. I was witness to her struggle to have a child (she is now the proud momma of twins, a boy and a girl!). We have argued, cried, and laughed together. Sometimes we are on opposite sides of an issue, but we have each others back. 

I have been telling you about some of the changes in my life lately and how I am struggling with them. One of those changes is that I will no longer be working so closely with my friend. Our jobs are changing, we are both taking on new responsibilities (as is our whole work group) and as a result we won't be working together anymore. I know it will be okay, but it makes me kind of sad. My whole work group has become a family and I am going to miss that. But I think I may miss Elizabeth the most. That connection that comes from facing and overcoming those crazy workplace mountains together will be a thing of the past.

I don't know if I am making sense. What I am trying to say is that I am thankful, so thankful for my friend Elizabeth. I am proud to know her, proud to have been a part of her life for the past 16 years. I am pleased and proud for her new position and responsibilities and I know she will do a great job. But I am going to miss our birthday parties and the way she monitors how much cake I get (watching my blood sugar) and the excitement she always has for decorating the department for Christmas (her favorite holiday). I am going to miss playing little practical jokes on her (like turning all her prescription bottles upside down when her back is turned. Yes, I am silly). I am going to miss knowing that she has my back. I am going to miss it all.

I love you my friend. Things are changing, but that never will. And even though we won't be working so closely in the future, I will always have your back!

She posted this on my Facebook page yesterday, because she knows me well!