Finally, I also made my children aware of the fact that unfortunately there would be those out there that would get in our “boats” at times that do not share the same values and goals that we have and therefore have no place in our “boats”. If we allow such people to stay and sit, then they may steer us in the wrong direction and our “boats” will quickly sink. 

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The “boat” is a picture that is easy to imagine for a child and is a simple way to make sense of friendship and life goals. I have worked alongside children, teens, and families for the last thirty years and find that we often tell our young people to make “better” friends or be a “good” friend, but we often do not go into detail about the characteristics that make a wonderful friendship. We are obligated to discuss our responsibility in being a loving friend as well. 

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My prayer is that this book will start a conversation and thought process about the blessings of genuine friendship no matter how old we are. I hope we will be filled with more kindness and courage as we guard and defend our “boats” and share in the encouragement of others as we help paddle their “boats” through life. May we also pause with gratitude and thank those that have journeyed lovingly along on our waters.