Traveling Seeds

My students were recently learning how plants have special characteristics to help them disperse their seeds.  Some seeds have helicopter-like propellers to help them fly.  Other seeds have hooks on them allowing them to hook onto animals or socks and hitch a ride to new locations.  My students like learning how plants have special parts to help them survive.

I was thinking about this phenomenon after having a great conversation about friendship.  I think people also have special characteristics drawing them to others.  I can look at any person and see their value, their beauty and their great character, but not every amazing person fits me the same. 

Just like the seeds who have a specific purpose, so do people.  The seeds with hooks won't fly away.  The helicopter seeds won't hook onto your socks.  People who are supposed to be my closest friends will be my closest friends.  People who are supposed to be a piece in the puzzle of my life will be their own special piece. 

Some people I encounter in my life will be with me for decades.  Our relationship will grow and become rock-like.  Some people will make amazing impressions on me, but I may not be in touch with them as often, we may even lose touch.  Their value isn't less just because they didn't stay hooked to my sock as long as others. 

My husband and I have changed jobs over the years.  Often, we begin looking for a new job because things aren't going well where we are.  The discomfort in our current job spurs us to move on to something new.  We have to be careful not to apply this idea to people.  The circumstances in our lives move us to many different places. Simply because life moved us doesn't mean that any of our relationships were a problem.  Just because we don't see someone as often doesn't mean the relationship is over. 

We need people in our lives.  We need people who will care about us, know us, hear us and be honest with us.  We need people who are willing to show up on the worst days and celebrate on the best.  We need people we can't stop talking to and who we can be silent with. 

Life deals whatever hand it wants.  We can't change our hand, but we can surround ourselves with as many different friends as we can.  You never know when you will need a cup of coffee, a friend to walk with or someone to simply say "Hi" to in the middle of a long day.