Life has again gotten away from me and I find myself writing a blog that I SHOULD have written first thing yesterday morning. I’m going to blame my tardiness on the snow we are getting here in Western New York. Or my tourrettes. Or both. Waffles!
The past few days I’ve been thinking long and hard about friendship and what it means to me. I’ve given much thought to those in my life whom I’m close to, and I feel somewhat sentimental. As someone who spent most of her younger years being painfully shy (STOP laughing, I’m serious!) I’m still sometimes amazed by the diverse group of people I’m lucky enough to consider friends today. I’ve by FAR never been one of the “cool kids”, yet so many people that I know and love ARE the cool kids! For reasons I’ll never understand, they accept me into their circles despite my flaws and social awkwardness!
I’ve often heard it said that “A man is known by the company he keeps and how well he keeps it”. If that indeed is the case, I must be doing pretty well! I’m often in good company!
Without a doubt, I am opinionated, I am loud, I am stubborn. Actually, my Dad prefers the term “strong-willed” because it sounds better, and I get my stubborn streak from him! If I think it, chances are I’m going to say it. Sometimes this is great but most of the time it’s not. I keep meaning to set up an appt. to have my social filter looked at and just haven’t gotten around to it!
As I sat in a restaurant with an eclectic group of friends the other night, I couldn’t help but take a look at all of them and feel very lucky. Friends that I don’t even remember how/when I met them because it feels as though they have always been a part of my life. The laughter and the freedom to “be myself” without fear of judgement was an amazing feeling. I went home feeling “lighter” than I have in a long time. Friendship and laughter are healing, no doubt.
Thankfully, I have many friends whom I’ve known since I was a kid. People who have been a part of my story and however infrequently I may see them now, my heart fills with love when I do. They are kind, and wonderful people woven into my childhood memories.
Adulthood has brought me new friends and new chapters. As any good mystery, not every chapter is a happy one. I’ve made mistakes (LOTS of them), I’ve misjudged people, I’ve been a downright jerk and I’ve screwed up “good things”. Unfortunately I have hurt people that I love and there are friendships that I deeply miss. As most people do, I have regrets, but even the people I’m no longer close to are still part of my story. Their friendship and influence will always mean something to me despite their absence now.
It seems that I have an extraordinary group of friends for being only 33! I have “best friends” who know my secrets and (usually) don’t dish them! The girls who could text me a random phrase that would make absolutely no sense to anyone else, yet is hilarious to us! “BFF’s don’t talk $hit to stalkers!” “Satan” I have friends that somehow always seem to know when to text me and ask if everything is okay. One awesome lady not only keeps me sane (and from getting arrested in Old Navy) but she makes sure my kids are always cared for as well. My girls have had many opportunities that they might not have had otherwise if it weren’t for her!
I have a friend who opens her house to my girls and I frequently to come spend time. When we’re there, it feels as comfortable as being home. She’s also a nut, so I don’t ever feel judged! 
There are friends I vacation with, and friends I catch beers with, and people who would give me the shirt off their back if they could. A former co-worker turned good friend got me through one of the hardest years of my life with her stern advice, her sense of humor, and LOTS of visits to Carms!
Too often I don’t tell the people I care about how much they mean to me. While I would never deliberately take someone for granted, there are times that I realize I do. As I sit thinking about all the people I love and who make ME feel loved, it is very clear that I need to tell them more often that I value them. We ALL need to do that!! Life is too short! Try to be conscious of the words you use and make sure that you could rest at ease if those words were ever your last. Smile at strangers, tell your friends you love them, and BE the good that you want to see in the world! Like that? lol 
