Friends…

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without. Hebrews 13:2

Just as the stars shine brighter in the night sky, so do friendships glow stronger amidst the wonders of the world discovered together. Unknown

This week, a group of friends and I went snowshoeing at a beautiful place in the Sierras.  It’s an interesting mix of “old” friends and newer friends, plus a few that I just recently met.   Next week, we have an even bigger group going out!  We are all in a group text labeled “Outdoorsy Friends” and I’m eager to see where this year will take us in terms of friendship and places.

Experience has taught me that new relationships may develop in a variety of ways.  There will be one or two people who occasionally go on outdoor adventures with me, and we will enjoy our time together yet the friendship will be very casual and we’ll see each other infrequently.  Then there may be one or two who will become regular outdoor companions, but we will rarely see each other outside of our adventure outings.  Finally, if lucky, there will be at least one person who will become a close friend, sharing both adventures and life together. And it’s all good!  It’s great to have a variety of friendships as we only have so much time and energy in our lives yet each enriches our lives in a unique way.

As I enter 2026 with a new outdoors friends’ group, it’s with anticipation to see what new friendships will develop to complement the friendships that I already hold dear. I also look forward to time with both longstanding and newer friends; those who I share a storehouse of memories with so that we instantly reconnect no matter how much time has passed.  

How about you?  Are you ready to embrace both old and newer friendships this year?