my friend

I spoke to a friend on the phone today. We've been friends since our freshman year of college...a long time ago. We've been friends through new boyfriends that became old boyfriends, term papers and finals, crazy roommates, first jobs, marriages, babies, other friends that drift away, and family crises. We live thousands of miles apart and I miss her terribly. She gave birth to her 3rd child when I was 5 months pregnant with my first.  Her baby was born with  very serious health problems and faced several procedures and surgeries in her first days, weeks and months of life. It was excruciating for my friend, and heartbreaking to me that I could not be there with her. My friend expressed her sadness, selflessly, that she could not be with me while I was having my first baby. We didn't finally get to see one another until my baby was 8 months old, hers 13 months old. We manage to stay connected via email and phone calls that really would last forever, if not for our children! This friend never says the wrong thing at the wrong time,  has impeccable taste in everything, is a very patient parent and spouse, is always kind, prepares lovely meals, sends thoughtful cards and gifts, and is never gossipy, negative, whiney, or unjust. When I grow up, I want to be more like my friend.