Friends. How many of us have them? Friends. The ones that we can depend on? Friends.

A little tune from the 80s music group Whodini asks a big question. Just how many of us can truly answer that question? In an age where followers on social media are seen as “friends,” how many of them can you count on to be there when the chips are down? How many of them would come over when texting and phone calls just don’t cut it?

I recently experienced a series of setbacks and when I start feeling low I make it a point to recall of all the things I’m grateful for. One of the many things I’m grateful for are friends. I’m fortunate enough to have maintained friendships established in elementary school, high school, college, and the workplace who were with me through thick and thin; in good times and bad.

However, for all the fun you may have with a friend and however far the two of you may go back, some friendships are meant only for a season. Others are meant for a lifetime.

As I reflect on the people I view as friends, I look at why they were meant to be in my life and how that friendship shaped my growth as a human being.

First up: Kim. I know Kim from the neighborhood of my youth (ahem…I won’t share just how long ago that was) and probably was the first to welcome her as she and her family moved to the area. She was in fourth grade and I, in third. Those who know Kim agree she is the funniest person you will ever meet, not to mention very outspoken. Growing up in a very strict household with limited options for social interaction, Kim was an addition to our family and added the other elements that I needed to develop relationships with peers…and it didn’t stop there. She’s still in my life and will be there until we leave the earth.

Next is Jenn. I met Jenn in the 9th grade. I was drawn to Jenn because she had earrings all the way up the ear…and I thought that was so incredibly cool. The only other person I knew who had an ear jeweled that way was my cousin Margo, and I always considered the cool cousin (Interestingly enough, Jenn would later meet my cousin Margo in our adulthood). My friendship with Jenn helped me develop a more mature way of thinking as she just seemed older than her age. She always had that edge that was a little cooler, a little more hip than the very-sheltered-me. During this time, I was exposed to another way of living and different points of view as I connected with her family, all of whom—like Kim and her family—I consider my extended family. Also like Kim, we consider each other sisters and will be here for each other until its time to leave the earth.

Then there are my work friends. But don’t let this fool you. I may have met them at work, but maintained friendships with them outside of the building. Work friends can be tricky. They’re the friends you tend to lose touch with once you change roles or leave the company. I’m proud to say though we no longer work together, these ladies are a constant in my life: my former boss, Ilena, and former colleague Robin. We lift each other in prayer, we help each other professionally (or rather Ilena helps us both professionally), and just share encouragement with one another. From a different company in a different life, another friend from a previous place of employment that I’m proud to call friend is Katie. The two of us shared so much over the years and experienced a lot of milestones at the same time. We have kids the same age and when we reconnected (I spotted her husband at a stoplight) we picked up as if we never missed beat.

Finally, my first college roommate, Jill. We kept in touch after school, but lost touch for a few years. We re-connected and again, it was as if we never missed a beat. We visited each other homes and once again after I got married. Our husbands met and we all just had a great time. My husband passed a month before her 50th birthday and she insisted I get out the house to attend her party and spend the might.

Of course there are other friends in my life, and though time has moved us onward, we will never loose the fellowship we share. Each one of them having a special purpose for a specific season. For those friendships I’m grateful.

Take a moment and reflect on all your friendships . If you miss them, give them a call. Life is short. My hope is that all of you should be so blessed.