That common thread....

Have you ever noticed the random piece of thread woven into the nest of a bird?

It serves as an identifier.  I imagine it beckons the new to flight fledglings that 'this is home'.  I imagine it's woven into the nest in such a manner that it is crucial to the structure of the nest, keeping it strong in the midst of a storm.

I was thinking the other day about my circle of friends.  Unlike family, it's not blood that binds us or draws us together.  So what is it?  What's the common thread?  As I reflected on those relationships I could come up with several, religious beliefs, political beliefs, kids, extra curricular involvement...etc. But not one of those seemed to be THE one that was most binding.  So I thought a bit more.  And I came up with this, the majority of my friends are not from this community.  Although most are from the area, few are from the "oak hill" community.  We're outsiders if you will.  We're from Marion, Madison-Grant, Lewis Cass, Tri-County and Oak Hill.  And for whatever reason, this is the community we've chosen to live, raise our families, worship, etc.  It is here we came together.

We all have kids.  We all have a different place of worship.  We all have our own thing that we do.  And through it all we have come to view one another in a different light and perhaps one of the best lights one can be viewed in....that of a friend.

Just six years ago Andy & I felt as though we were missing that element.  Not that we didn't have friends, we did, just most of them lived farther away and getting together for the little things like ballgames and impromptu bonfires wasn't so easy to do.  And now the circle of friends is growing.  And I feel blessed.

There are those in the circle who have been friends longer than others, know others better, click better and all of that but nonetheless, I would say it's a pretty solid circle.

Solid perhaps because 70% of those in it are not from here.  Solid perhaps because we've realized the value of friends, have watched and learned from the dynamics of other groups of friends, or solid perhaps because we're all true to who we are.  Whatever the reason they are friendships I treasure and look forward to growing.

For me personally the common thread, not being from the Oak Hill community initially, seems to be the one that ultimately binds me to these people. This is a tightly knit community, a patchwork of many.  Many who have never left, many who have returned and many who have moved in.

Like a bird looking for that tread, the indicator that 'this is where you belong', I've found just that in the common thread that is woven in my friendships. I hope they have too.