My! People Come And Go So Quickly Here!

Today I had conversations with two different people about the same thing. As Madison put it, "People come in and out of your life for a reason. Some only stay a short time, some need to stay for a long time. Either way, they serve a distinct purpose in your life".

I have many meaningful friendships that have lasted decades. These people have planted roots so deep in my life, I can't fathom ever being without them. Many are readers of this journal. We have seen each other through good times and bad, several marriages, and countless lovers. Our friendships have outlasted them all. These people are my core support group.

But some people, though in and out of my life much more quickly, still left a mighty impact. There have been teachers, friends, coworkers, and lovers who fit in this category.

I've written before about Michael. A young man I dated after my first marriage ended. He came along at a time when I felt rejected and undesirable, and helped me to feel beautiful and alive again. He helped me get my groove back.

It reminds me of the story "Mary Poppins". When Mary Poppins arrived at the Banks home, the children needed her so desperately. But once their family was restored, her work there was done. The children were simply devastated to see her go, but she knew the children would be just fine without her.

God knows what we need, when we need it, and who should provide it for us. And then He decides when it's time for them to go. The problem is, when it's time for the short term people to move on, it usually saddens us very much.

We have to trust that these precious short term people came to us, fulfilled their purpose, then left as they were supposed to.

And sometimes that really, really sucks.