As Thanksgiving 2024 approaches and I reflect on my many blessings, I am reminded of, and thankful for friendships. I have a poster that I've kept for 40-plus years, which reads: “When I count my blessings, I thank God TWICE for your friendship!”

As I consider further what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving, I realize that being appreciative of friends is high on my list. Allow me to share some thoughts on friendship. 

First, I am thankful for “old friends.” I have, on display on my bookshelve, a plaque that reads: “It takes a long time to grow old friends.” I can certainly relate. 

Every year, I receive a Thanksgiving card from a man I coached 40-plus years ago in college baseball. He was a young man then, of course; now he is blessed with grandchildren, for goodness sake. I am thankful for “old friends” like Rob, who remember me, know me well, and appreciate me anyway. The faithful, trusted word(s) of encouragement from a friend can strengthen; they are a message of love.

Second, I am thankful for “close friends” — buddies, so to speak — who are wholesome and supportive. As a physically handicapped senior, I depend on the healing,  lifting and loving concern of friends, who are more than just acquaintances.  Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: “The only way to have a friend is to be one.” Scripture, I believe, says it best: “A man that hath friends, must show himself friendly. And there is a friend that stays closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)

Five years ago, my friend Rory, who has been a true friend since his sophomore year in high school, took a position in the southwest United States. Before Rory left, I asked him if he would still want to be my friend, when I grew really old, feeble and even more forgetful. His reply made my day and remains in my thoughts. “Dan,” he said, “I'll be your friend forever ... even if you no longer remember it.”

Finally, I am thankful that as the song of Michael W. Smith expresses: “Friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them. And a friend will not say never, because the welcome will not end.” We can be truly encouraged by what we “feel” from our friends. 

When I say feel, I am often referring to touching. As I grow older, I realize the wonder of a hug. It can cheer me up, it can say “I love you,” a hug can say “goodbye” or “welcome back, I've missed you.” Jesus, according to the New Testament record, touched people physically and spirituality. I believe something can happen to us through the act of human touch.

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Eleanor Roosevelt had this to say about friendship: “Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.” 

With love, respect and gratitude for Rory and many other friends, I say, “THANKS FOR THE FOOTPRINTS!”

— Dan Van Ommen is a Zeeland resident and a member of the Reformed Church in America. Contact him at dan.vanommen@gmail.com.