Friends. 1/4/09

First and foremost I want to say that I have the greatest friends. Many are going through hardships right now and I pray for their strength and safety. Tonight I was enlightened to the fact that a friend that I've had for 22 years told my husband that he would be civil to me because I was his wife, but that was it. Talk about a blow to the heart. He and his wife are divorcing and he feels I'm not being a good friend to him by confirming many things he's dreamed up in his mind. I know there are so many things I could say that would do nothing more than put him down. My thoughts are this: I'll pray for his strength and healing. As far as our friendship goes: it's his loss. I'm not going to beat myself up over it.

Then there are friends who have seen us through a lifetime! There was a group of kids I used to run around with growing up. We'd play hide and seek til well after dark, ride our bikes all over town, explore the woods. But you know what. We weren't trouble makers. We didn't do things to get in trouble. We just enjoyed being together as friends. Out of this group I found something so precious, my friendship with Gary. I can't even begin to tell you how many movies we watched together, how many laughs we shared, how many decks of cards we shuffled the faces off of. I don't ever recall really having a fight with him. If we did, it was nothing serious, because it was so easily forgotten. Friendship with him is comfortable. No matter how much time has passed, our friendship is still there. It's easy. I hope one day my daughter finds a friend like Gary. He will make her laugh til she cries, and when she cries, he'll cheer her up til she laughs.
We've seen each other through boyfriends and girlfriends (me the boys and he the girls), (HA HA HA). Marriage, children, the joys of parenthood and the everyday things that come with growing into adults.

More friends tomorrow.

1/1/09 It's all new

This year I don't have the typical resolutions. This year, I want to be healthier, if I lose some weight in the meantime, great, if not, great. I want to feel better, physically and emotionally. 2008 was a pure roller coaster of emotion. Too many times I felt so overwhelmed I thought I was going to implode. I'm so thankful to my many friends who helped keep me sane. I am truly in awe of my husband. I'm not sure how he tolerated me this past year. I rarely tolerated myself. I feel that I neglected relationships with my husband and my daughter, as well as many friends. This year, I'm going to be a better person. I'm going to journal to get my thoughts out of my head. So many times I've told Peyton to write down what she's feeling. I should have taken my own advice. She's the brightest spot in my life. My husband is my rock, my shoulder and the helping hand that has helped pull me out of this funk called 2008. There have also been many blessings this year. Some things I'm thankful for... visits with family. My husbands new job. Friends. A warm home. A blessed family. Broken hearts that mend. I know that this year has taught me many life lessons. WOW! Who knew at 37 I could learn so much is so little time. My advice: Nurture friendships; you never know what will happen. Nurture your spouse; often times that's who's going to pull you up. Nurture your family; you never know what will happen. Nurture you, keep your head clear. Hug someone everyday. Tell someone you love them everyday. Here's to an awesome 2009!