Friends.
I have told our children, “If you have one person you consider a great friend, you are truly blessed.” I am blessed to have many friends. Not just acquaintances but I’m-there-when-you-need-me, hey-let’s-go-out-and-just-hang friends.
One friend, who is more like a sister (I don’t have a sister so she is stuck with me!!), and I go out often and have a “teacher work day” (wink, wink) since we both teach at home. We go to a local 50’s style diner ordering onion rings and chocolate peanut milk shake every time. She listens to me and I her. If someone has “done her wrong”, I’ll offer to go punch them out…and visa versa. And we laugh. She is my “go to” person when I can’t “take it” any more. She is my cheerleader. She is there to wipe many tears and calm me down. She respects me and just “gets me”…well, sometimes. I love her.
Another friend lives many states away. I wish she were closer. But the funny thing is she used to live right down the road from me. Sure, we’d talk and do things together but it wasn’t until her and her family moved away that made us close friends. Neither of us has figured out how that actually happened, but it has. And I won’t question it. I had the great privilege of flying to her state and staying with her for three days. We had so much fun. Mega portions of “girl time” and it was GREAT. We laughed. We listened to each other. We just enjoyed being together. The day before I was to fly home, my hubby called to tell me my dad’s heart had stopped beating numerous times and needed a pace maker. Surgery was scheduled the next day—the same time I was flying home. She was such a comfort. We talked and we were quiet. Not that awkward quiet but the quiet that says “I’m here when you want to talk.” I love her.
Other friends are equally supportive. They will either call or email to see how I am. Some give wonderful hugs and just seem to know when I need one. Others know—just know—when I need some chocolate! And most are ready to hang out for much needed girl time. And when my mom died, many brought us food and asked how they could help.
I pray I am or can be as wonderful of a friend as others have been to me. I am truly blessed. I love you all!
If you are reading this thinking, "I don't have friends", look around you. I bet you have more people in your life who consider themselves your friend than you realize. Ask God to reveal to you a friend that "gets" you. God will bless you with friends.
“A friend loves at all times…” Proverbs 17:17
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.
Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7
Saying a prayer for your dad now. I hope he's well. ♥
ReplyDeleteDeb