In the Trenches

I once heard the powerful story of two soldiers fighting deep in the trenches of World War I. These two men served together in the most wretched conditions one could possibly imagine. Month after month found them living in the cold and the mud, under fire and under orders.

Throughout the long, fearsome days, one side or the other could be found emerging from their trenches and attacking the enemy line. It wouldn't take long, and the advancing group would soon be retreating to tend to wounds, bury the dead, and gain enough strength to attack again. Despite the horror of the situation, friendships were formed in those deep, dirty trenches. Two soldiers especially became close with one another, and through the long days and nights they would speak of their lives, their families. They would share dreams of what they would do when (and if) they ever survived the war.

On one particular day, one of these men (whom we shall call "Ben") was severely wounded while his group made an advance toward the enemy line. His friend (whom we shall call "Jake") managed to make it back to the safety of the trenches. Ben, however, was left to lie, wounded, under the night sky. Alone.

The fighting continued, and Jake sensed that the war was at it's peak. Surely, one would be a fool to leave the relative safety of the trenches now, but he wished to find his friend to comfort him, to give him the encouragement that only a friend could give in such a time as this. Jake asked permission to leave from the officer in charge, but his request was immediately refused. To leave now was obviously too dangerous. Yet, Jake felt that by staying where he was, he would be letting his friend down at the very time when he was most needed. So as the officer turned his back, Jake scrambled over the top of the trench and made his way to Ben.

Ignoring the shells that were bursting all around him, Jake eventually succeeded in bringing Ben back to the trenches. But it was too late. His friend was gone. Upon seeing what had happened, the officer sarcastically asked Jake if it had been worth the risk. Jake's response came without hesitation. "Yes, sir, it was," he said. "My friend's last words made it more than worth it. He looked up at me and said, 'I knew you'd come.'"

Friendship. Just saying the word makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! Where would any of us be if it were not for our friends? Friendship is to the soul as the sun is to the earth. It is there to guide us, to grow us, to warm us, to enlighten us. Friendship brings joy to our sometimes cloudy days, and scatters a few extra sparkles amidst the grandeurs of life.

Many are the memories dancing around in my head of heartfelt times spent with those dearest to me. Late night chats warmed with chai tea...excursions to the local ice cream shoppe...a kind smile tossed across a large room when words were impossible to share...oodles&kadoodles of handwritten letters...2 o'clock AM phone calls...surprise hugs...road trips...laughter and giggles until our sides hurt...sharing dreams...sharing tears...all these and more are what make my friends near and dear to my heart.

To me, the language of friendship is not merely expressed with the spoken word. Rather, it is more commonly shown in the thoughtful things we do for each other. Friendship is breathed in the presence of a kindred spirit; it is sensed in the gentleness of a quiet moment.

Anyone can be a good acquaintance, but it takes someone special to become a friend.

"Best friend, my wellspring in the wilderness...
What do we live for, if it is not to make life
less difficult for each other?"
--George Eliot--