What Would I Do Without Friends.....

In tough times your family is there for you. But to get through each day your friends can make all the difference. Friday night I was lucky enough to meet with some friends who I had worked with in the past. It was so nice to see each of them and share some laughs and memories. These friendship are the things that have sustained me during this rough period.

I like most of us take our friends for granted. They are always around and I just assume they always will be. But looking around the table Friday night felt good to know that I mattered enough for them to take time out of their busy schedules for me.

I have received cards and calls from former co-workers. The kindness and generosity has not gone unnoticed. The cards, the flowers, the gift cards and the collection taken up to give me enough money to buy the wind chimes in which some of my Mom's ashes will be placed.......how can you put a value on that kind of friendship and love.

Later this year when I sit on my porch and hear the sound of those wind chimes........I will not only be thinking of my mom but of the dear friends who made them possible.

I moved here almost 14 years ago and only knew 2 people. In the last few weeks I have come to realize how many people have touched my life. I am grateful that we decided to move south......I would have hated to miss the friendships that I have been lucky enough cultivate.......

I feel so blessed....

No Man Is A Failure Who Has Friends

My Dad would have agreed with Clarence the Angel from "It's A Wonderful Life". My Dad used to say if when you died you could hold up your hand and say you have 5 friends that you has done well in life.

We all have acquaintances.....a lot of them. They are fun to hang with and share the good times. But there is something about friends....real true friends. They share the good times, they walk with us through the struggles and may even help carry us in our dark hours. There is something about having a history with another person. They have known both the best and worst of you and still for some crazy reason want to be around you. They can complete your sentences, with one look they know what you are thinking and you can go long periods of time without speaking and still get on the phone and catch up in just a few minutes and it is as if it were yesterday that you had just spoken. Yes, acquaintances can become friends but it is not something that happens over night.

The great part about having friends is they choose you too.....not like family where they have to put up with you. Yes, family is family and we all have had some that we would have chosen as friends even if there wasn't a connection by blood but we ALL also have family that we couldn't care if we ever saw them again.

But a good friend is like a pair of old slippers.....comfortable, familiar and although they might show some wear you won't replace them.

I have friends from various stages in my life....they came into my life from different directions. They may not have always agreed with me or thought my choices were right but they have refrained from using those dreaded words "I told you so". I don't know what I would have done without them.....they have shared my joys and successes......they have listened to me when I was trying to figure out life......and when I needed a sounding board they were there.

No man or woman is a failure who has friends......I guess that makes me a success!! But those poor people that have become my friends......sorry guys you are stuck with me and I with you.....I feel very blessed.