I’ve been thinking about how we measure friendship. Usually it’s: who shows up when everything falls apart? And yes, these friends matter deeply. But what about the ones who also show up when everything goes right?
There’s a different kind of courage in celebrating someone else. It requires humility and an open heart. It asks us to quiet the comparison and judgement within, to hush the little voice that says, What about me? Grief gathers sympathy easily. Joy sometimes creates distance.
I’ve noticed that when something good happens, I feel strangely exposed. Like if I say “yay,” someone might hear “look at me.” But the friends who lean in anyway, who see the value behind what got that win, who clap, who text, who say, “This is wonderful,” This feels especially close. Because joy makes me, makes us vulnerable, too.
So this is a quiet thank you to the friends who celebrate. I see you. And I’m prayerfully learning to be that kind of friend back.
Ann Suk Wang, Kidlit Author 
I never thought of it that way. I love celebrating others but do not like drawing attention to myself. Since December I’ve been dealing with an early stage cancer diagnosis. Had surgery and am having chemo. I thought I would just keep it quiet but soon realized that this was time to put my Faith into practice. So I reached out to family, close friends, and my Church for prayers. While I still don’t want to shout it from the rooftops, I know you are a person of faith so I’m appealing for your prayers for healing. This is an early stage uterine cancer and my doctors at City of Hope assure me that the goal of treatment is curative, but it’s really in God’s hands. So I’m asking Him for a cure. I hope you will join me. Thanks, Ann, for your timely post. And mega-congratulations on your literary success! Lydia
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Oh, Lydia. What a burden you bear. I think it was wise to share with others. People want to love on you more than you can imagine. I will pray healing for you… and strength and peace in His care.
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