The youth pastor at my church was ordained a deacon last weekend. Apparently, it’s something she’s worked towards for a very long time and there have been several hurdles along her journey. I’ve only been going to the church for a few years, so I don’t know the whole history. A friend filled me in on a few details.

She reached out to me a few weeks ago and asked if I could sing in the choir for the service. Of course I could. After the service ended, I stood with a fellow choir member and talked about how good it is to see someone reach a goal they’ve worked so hard for and deserve so much.

I also started to consider that that day would probably start the clock on when she would move on to another church as she follows her path.

Over the course of my life, I’ve probably forgotten more of the people that I’ve met than I remember. There are a few non-family members I’ve known for multiple decades. A very few, even though I tend to plant in places and not move around so much. Most of the people I’ve known move around more.

Someone told me a number of years ago that friendships fall into three categories as to how long the friendship lasts: a reason, a season, a lifetime. It’s much more than friendships that fall into those categories.

In all cases it’s great to be able to look at the moving on as a natural occurrence. I can be grateful that I got to spend some time with them, and be excited for the opportunities that will come for both of us separately.

Very, very little is forever.

On the news front, it has been a banging week. I want to hold out hope that the tide is shifting, but it’s going to take a long time before I’m ready to believe that it has shifted and won’t be holding my breath in some way.