Friendships are a lot like tulips – Guest Post
Have you grown any tulips recently? You plant the bulb in late Fall, then do nothing except wait while the bulb is preparing for spring. Just about the time you have forgotten all about them you start to see the green shoots. Then before long there are buds that open into gorgeous flowers.But I don’t let them stay out in my yard. I will often cut a big bouquet and bring them in to brighten my kitchen table. True, they don’t last long, but they are such a breath of spring after a long winter. Even when they start to droop and lose their petals they are beautiful.
Friendships are a lot like tulips.
You may begin a friendship many months before you really see it mature. It takes time to develop a friendship and once you have established the relationship, you get to watch it grow and change over time.
Some friendships are started out of a specific need.
I remember when I moved to a new town with a baby. My husband was working and I was staying at home. I needed a friend. So I boldly raised my hand in a library story time and just asked if someone would be willing to meet me at the park and go for a walk with me and my son. Surprisingly that request was answered by a stranger who has become one of my great friends. We discovered that we had a lot in common. that friendship has grown over the past 9 years into a solid bond.
Some friendships begin as a complete accident.
My first day at college, another girl cut in front of me in the drink line at our college cafeteria. That accidental meeting started a friendship that has lasted for more than 20 years.
Sometimes friends have to make a choice
I have a friendship that began when I was in preschool. I have literally grown up with this friend. Over the past 35 years, this friend and I have traveled many different paths. There have been many times when we would reach a crossroad where we had to choose to continue to build our friendship. Thankfully, each time we have reached those points, we have chosen to continue to build our friendship. Friends don’t always agree, but they always put a premium on the relationship.
Friendships have layers.
Just like tulips, friendships have different layers. You may have some friends that you love to talk with when you run into them in town but you would never feel comfortable calling them to help clean your house if you are sick. There are other friends that you connect with because of a hobby or a craft. Some friends are your heart to heart connections. You can share anything with them because you know they will be praying for you and will be there in the tough times. Some friends are there to help you through seasons of your life.
Friendships take work.
There are some friends who only want to take and always want to be the focus. But for friendships to work, there has to be a mutual respect and care for each others lives. Sometimes it’s not convenient to take time to work on a friendship, but it is always worth it. Today, I am thankful that my tulips are starting to bud, because the tells me that the beautiful flowers are on their way. I am also thankful that’ I have friendships in the different stages of growth. That way I can enjoy all the levels of these relationships and share my life with some special people.
Sharon Williams loves working in her gardens and spending time with her family and friends. She blogs about ways to pursue your Hobbies on a Budget.
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What an awesome way to describe friendship. Love the article, Sharon.
Thanks guys for your kind comments! I love my flowers and recently had an experience where I just couldn’t be more thankful for my friends! Friends are definitely treasures!
what a sweet post thanks for sharing
Renee @ Made By Renee recently posted..Big G #Retro Cereals, & a $10 Target Card Giveaway from #MyBlogSpark {ends 3/10/12}
Wonderful post. Is it okay to throw dirt on an ex-friend?
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well yes, yes it is..
Dirt on an exfriend? Now that’s something I didn’t think about when I wrote the article! I’ll leave that up to other experts! lol
These points are so true. I never really looked at it in this aspect but it does make allot of sense. I love this analogy.
This is such a good post!! I love how it was written.
Melissa recently posted..Foodsaver vacuum-sealing system HOT!!! 29.95!!! GET IT NOW
Loved reading this!! Thank you for the reminder!
maria recently posted..Spring is Almost Here- Time to Revamp Our Spring Wardrobe
cute saying! Friends are Like Tulips! so true!
I have always been a big fan of this poem;
People always come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.
this is just the first two lines and I don’t know who the author is but I love the sentiment.
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That’s neat!! You crack me up, but I’m glad to call you my friend.
What a sweet post! I love this and I’m grateful to have you as my friend Janet Have a wonderful day!
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I’m feel very blessed to call you my friend as well..thanks for stopping by!!
What a beautiful comparison! I couldn’t agree more!
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Thanks for stopping by and remember to hug your friends and plant your tulips in the ground…not the other way around!!