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08/24/2016
Dr. Laura:
In fourth grade, I was the chubby, lonely bookworm, and over the summer, I prayed every night before bed for a friend. The first day of fifth grade, a tall, skinny girl walked in the room. She looked just as miserable as I felt. A very wise teacher paired us up in class immediately, and we became fast friends.
Not only were we both a little geeky, but we were both raised by our grandparents. I was a country girl, and she was a city girl, but our grandparents always put in the effort so we could spend time together. Over the years, she has loved me through losses and life's foibles, and I've been there for her through a nasty divorce. Thirty five years have passed since the fourth grade. You can still find us laughing like schoolgirls at times, and crying like the world is ending at others.
Having a friendship like ours doesn't happen very often. The chubby girl and her gangly friend turned out pretty darn cute too! Today I have my own little 12-year-old bookworm, and I've encouraged her to seek out good, trusted friends. She has done that, and so far she hasn't gone through any of the angst I experienced at that age. Putting in the effort to encourage our children's friendships is so worth it!
Charity
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