Friends

The strongest friendships are built through the bonding experience that occurs when people "live life" together. They are deepened when one enters the dark shadows...not alone, but with a loyal companion who is willing to take the time to listen and help in spite of it all.

At 10, you have a brush-burned knee and a helping hand lifts you up off the playground, knocks the dust off of you and gets you back in the game.

At 20, you call in the night when your heart is broken over somebody you can't remember the name of anymore.

At 30, you exchange messages telling that you have a child now....you are married, you have a job, you are a real grown up.

At 40, you realize who you really are and life is ready to really begin....you reach out, unashamed of the person you've become but not quite sure of what God has planned.

You talk as adults, but really you are just children again for a few moments of the day. Then you hang up and fight the fights again to break through life's struggles.

You thank God for a loyal friend who was willing to walk with you through the darkest places you've ever been. You realize that life is precious. I look at your daughter and see your face.

In Loving Memory of my lifelong friend
Triston Kane Knoll
June 4, 1971 - April 11, 2011