It is priceless to have two lives cross paths and intertwine so closely that one will always be part of the other. All types of relationships have this potential to varying degrees, some positive and others, unfortunately, not so much.
Imagine each individual life represented by a fragile thread which twists and wraps its way through the years with countless other threads. My own has wound around, unraveled again at various points, become filled with tangles and stubborn knots. It has even broken under stress a few times, requiring the raw ends to be mended.
Even the briefest contact with another person leaves both parties altered. We have the power to touch others with a smile or kind word at the right moment, gifting them with renewed strength and hope for whatever challenges they encounter along their path. Just a couple random threads twisting together in a meaningful pattern.
It's worth noting that when separate threads are drawn together and spiral into a committed relationship (be that marriage, friendship, family, or some other pursuit), the resulting bond is stronger than the threads were separately. When the time comes for one of those threads to reach the end of its spool, the remaining one still seems to retain much of its essence. Weaving together so tightly is an honor and reason to celebrate.
