It was eighth grade and I sat behind my red head friend named Wendy. She turned around with a pen in her hand and asked, “shall we connect the dots for our freckles?” Her humor for our freckles has stayed with me throughout my life. I hadn’t always felt comfortable with my freckles, but she made me feel accepted with her simple statement.
Wendy was a pretty smart girl in my class. I held my own as well, but still we were different. Wendy’s comment came back to me this afternoon because of a question I had. In sharing my question with a friend, I was able to understand an answer I’d already been given. I simply needed my friend to help me connect the dots.
As fun as that revelation was, my greater joy came from contemplating my freckles. I don’t look like anyone else. Every freckle I have is strategically different from any other. Still, I need my friends who help me connect the dots for how I am loved.