A while back I got the announcement of my 50th high school class reunion.  I knew I would not be attending, but I knew my friend from high school was living in an area where we would be traveling this summer.  She lives in Wasilla, Alaska now and we had our own little reunion just the two of us.  We had not seen each other since the summer after our high school graduation.  Then, a few days later, there was another reunion in Soldotna, Alaska with a couple of “kids” from the first youth group I directed in the ’70’s.  We hadn’t seen each other in nearly 40 years.  Finally, in Vancouver, BC a friend I had not seen in 34 years took a day off work and spent it with us.  Each of these friends represent times and seasons and relationships of my life that have formed and nurtured me.  I thank God for the people he has favored me with as friends through the years.  There are so many…and each one has a special place in my heart.