This is an amazing time of year. I feel like it is a time to reflect and appreciate not the stuff but the people in my life. Also the friends and family I have lost.
My journey has taken me to many places and lived in many houses. Now we have a home here where I hope we will establish some long term roots.
I think back to the friends and acquaintances I made in Florida. There are many people I thought I was close to but no longer keep in contact with. Moving to Florida was, at the time, the most difficult transition of my life. I was leaving behind the only home, family and friends I’d ever had. I can admit and realize now how bitter and depressed I was. I explored new things while I was there… learned my passion for scrapbooking, learned I am NOT good at making new friends. I got a job at a bank, not knowing I would make a friend there that I would continue to stay close with, regardless of where we lived. I learned I loved the beach and hated the humidity.
Then off to Arizona we went. That move brought a whole new set of challenges and experiences. When I think back to those times I think of the casual friends I made, the animal hospital that changed my perspective on the fact that I could enjoy a job. We gained two furry family members. The thousands of dollars I gave to friends that I felt needed it to survive and thrive. These friends there remind me of that poem about friends for a reason, season, etc. I really believe that I was meant to meet this one friend in particular, that she needed me in ways neither she nor I understood. Her and one other friend helped me learn to be strong and independent as Ted started to travel during this time. There are a few casual friends I keep in touch with and they seem to be well.
Our furry family members caused me to search online for friends. After using the internet in Florida to find scrapbooking friends, it only seemed natural to look for others who shared my love and compassion for our furry friends. It was a large, active online group that welcomed me and got me through many lonely days. Ted, to this day, doesn’t understand the friendship and camarderie that I found.
We moved to Maryland and I moved on. The scrapbook my former workplace sent me off with reminds me of the good times and happy memories I made there. Maryland brought us back to the northeast, our home. I was fast to find a job, and easily fell into some friendships. Once again I found a friend going through something and needed a helping hand, a fairy godmother to give her a time in life that would be forever memorable. My life became all about my work and the friends I made there. It was comforting and family-esque. Ted traveled extensively so it was all I had.
A surprise pregnancy in the midst of what was about to be the hardest time of my life once again changed my perspective on the friendships I made. My first level of friendship was found once again online. I bonded with ladies that shared the same general due date. It was amazing and comforting because Ted was gone 3/4 of my pregnancy. I can never explain or express my gratitude and bonds with these women. To this day I am thankful for having them for advice or just a listening “ear”. I didn’t have any real life friends that had babies so I felt I endured my pregnancy alone. I didn’t have anyone to guide me or show me what to do. I felt very alone and isolated in my everyday life. I was comforted by my work, where I at least was surrounded with people who cared about me.
After Rebecca’s birth I turned online to find local friends. I went through a couple of meetups with people before I found a group of ladies with young ones in the same spot in their lives that I was. It helped to physically see others sharing the same things as I. I found friendship and comfort when I thought I wouldn’t. I have come to depend on a few on them and enjoy their wit, intelligence and example.
Now I sit and reflect where I am and what I have. I can look very far back into my past and find people there who have always been there for me. They gave me their hearts, time and friendship without ulterior motives. I feel blessed and grateful to have these longtime, forever friends in my life.
My mom would be my ultimate and first friend, although it took til my 20′s to understand that. What she has been through in her life and continues to go through on a daily basis is something that unites and bonds us forever. No one knows or understands what my mom and I have. She is my best friend and the most brutally honest person I know. Her strengths outshine her flaws and I am grateful to all she has sacrified for me and all she does for me everyday of my life.
My friends Jen and Nicole have been in my life since kindergarten. We’ve had our ups and downs and closeness and times where we drifted for various years and various reasons, but now at the age of 30, know that they will play crucial roles in my life for the rest of my life.
While Nicole had her baby girl when we were much younger, it is nice to have her relate. Then there’s Jen, her baby girl has brought us to a closeness where we hadn’t been since our early college days. What our baby girls have done for our friendship is so priceless and classic, I can’t put words to it.
Then, out of a high school sweetheart, came my friendship with his mom. Cathy has been in my life for over a decade. Her marriage is an inspiration to me, as is her love and dedication to her children. I have never in my life found someone with such a generous, unselfish heart and love for others. I find her attitude and understanding amazing and a blessing to have in my life.
Meghan came along in Florida. Her friendship was an unexpected surprise. The fun and memories we’ve made are unlike any I’ve had with anyone else. Like any other friendship we’ve had our ups and downs but I truly hope she is someone I will continue to share things with and make memories for the rest of my life. Meghan is different from anyone else I know. The size of her family alone is mystifying. We’ve done some crazy things, spent some crazy money, had some crazy adventures. She may have more friends and acquaintainces than anyone else in my life and I frequently find myself jealous of this. I hope we are able to be mutually beneficial to each other. I met her before she was married and helped her celebrate her transition to that stage of her life. As her and Josh look to create a new life and add to their family, I hope to support them and help her blossom and make the best of this grand adventure in their lives. I hope they are able to successfully create a little life that will forever enlarge their hearts. I plan to offer her my unconditional love, support and and wisdom.
There is a mom in my life right now who I think is an amazing person. Her daughter is a month older than Rebecca and we met through our meetup group. Jen’s husband is an active duty Marine. She seems like a super genuine friends, a super wife and a fantastic mom. I really feel like I can learn a lot from her. We’ve only been friends for about a year but I hope that even when her and her family move next summer we will remain friends.
Of course there are other’s in my life who definitely deserve mentioning. Some are old friends, some new, all who are important and really round out my life. Samantha, Macie, Jeanette, Kristen, Heather, Sommer, Ann Marie, Becky, Krissy, Julia, others too.
During the trials and struggles with life and upcoming challenges in 2009 I am thankful for all those that will help, listen and support everything I will endure.
