There’s a quote somewhere about people you dislike turning out to be good friends. I often think of that concept because it’s born out over and over in my life. I met a guy three years ago at a family event who I thought I would never like. He was rude to me, abrupt and dismissive. I thought “up yours, Buddy, your loss.”<!–more–>

Because of the family situation, I’ve run into him from time to time. He was more polite and friendly as time went by, but still kind of an obnoxious boor. Then he met a woman, fell in love and married her in the temple. About face. I was quite drawn to his new wife, finding her sweet and interesting. She is from another country and I noticed that in family gatherings, she was often isolated. No one spoke to her except a little three year old. Of course, I engaged her and with my limited grasp of her language and her limited grasp of mine, we were able to communicate.

Then a troublesome situation developed and I reached out to him with a concern about a loved one that he worked with; he was incredibly kind and sensitive. Recently, an even more troublesome family situation developed and I lost my dignity in ways that I’m too embarrassed to reveal here. I have been stunned and amazed to find this man once again kind, sensitive and forgiving.

Got me thinking. You know, David Landrith annoyed me no end when we first “met” in the bloggernacle with his insistence on using the word “chick” which resulted in fights on Times and Seasons. I thought “who is this troublemaker infant (anybody under 50 is now an infant to me).” Finally, I emailed him and urged him to give it up, make his point and let them have the word chick out of their vocabulary. The word itself didn’t offend me, I thought it was funny, but the fights over the word were distracting. Gradually, we became good friends and now I’d take a bullet for him.

I’ve had this happen over and over in my contentious life. I’ll bicker with somebody, form a bad first impression, and then they turn out to be my friend.

This might be a good sign that I’m nuts: I’m uncomfortable with people who like me right off. Because when they find out I’m a pretty ornery loony gut, they won’t like me anymore. I am seldom troubled when people don’t like me; it’s safer.

I’ve been blessed with many friends and allies, in many walks of life. And I am here to tell you that you just never know who’s going to be your friend. You never know who might step up in the most humane way when you’re in need.

Have any of you experienced this metamorphosis of quarreling into friendship?    Have you found yourself unexpectedly admiring someone you thought you didn’t like?   Or been the recipient of their kindness?