Old Friends and New

Have you ever met someone who infects you?  Someone you can't get enough of?  A person who enthralls you with a word or a gesture?  I have.  She intrigues me.  She makes me laugh and I'm so happy we're becoming friends.  Those of you who have read my writing know I adore my friends.

I've been so obsessed with finding a man.  I'd been thinking that's what I needed to complete my life.  I'm not so sure any more.  I've been thinking about my heart and how I would like to give it again.  I realized, I give it all the time.  I put it out there for my friends.  I care about them and in return they do me.  When I need to talk they're there.  They are more there than my ex-husband ever was. They listen without judging.  They offer advice when they think I need it.  They make me laugh when I have to laugh and allow me to cry when I need to cry. 

I have Melissa who is caring, smart, funny and thoughtful.  She's listened to me cry and we've laughed our asses off over a bottle of wine. 

I have Nicole.  She's my young friend.  She keeps me feeling young and alive.  She's funny as hell and cute as anything.  She's fixed me up when I needed a date. She was here when we laughed over that bottle of wine.  She and Melissa tell me they love me and I do them just so we can hear it and know it's true.  Love without conditions.

I have Lori who has taught me to flirt. ;)  Who has shared secrets and kept mine. Who has failed miserably at showing me how to get organized!  But her effort is worth every second I have to listen to how to keep a clean house.

I have Kim who knows when I need a boost.  Who knows how to pick me up and make me believe in myself.  Who tries to make sure I don't feel alone

I have Trinity who has listened to everything.  Who has kept every secret and has never judged me.  She's having a sweet baby girl soon and I hope to be there when she welcomes her to this crazy world.

I have Heidi who has taken me places I've never been before.  Her reality is so different from mine and yet we come together like peas and carrots.  She's taken care of me when I could barely function and has offered help in anyway she could manage.

I have Jen.  I've had Jen for 30 years or so.  My oldest and dearest friend in the world. We've done almost everything together.  This is the first time in our adult lives we've been single together.  I'm pretty happy she lives across the country because we could get into a hole lot of trouble.  I would be lost without her in my heart. 

These are all my sisters.  The women in my life that make me feel whole and complete.  They offer friendship that is unconditional and love that will last longer than any other I've ever had.

I have brothers, too.

I have Rob, without whom I may not be here today doing any writing.  I may still be in a bad marriage if it weren't for his belief in me and in something he saw in me.  He believed I was good when I was told I was bad.  He made me look at myself when I was afraid of what I'd see.  He made me see my worth and embrace myself.  He too has listened to me cry and figuratively held my hand through the worst of my divorce.  He's made me laugh and still does. 

I have Dave who continues to make me feel desired. He entertains me and has shown me there are very good men out there.  He's listened to my craziness but still cares about me.  He'd help me with whatever I needed whenever I ask.  He's showed me what a responsible man has to offer the world.

I have my brother, Greg.  I haven't included family in this list but he can't go without being mentioned.  If it weren't for my brother, I wouldn't be here for anything.  I wouldn't have been here to have children or experience any of these friends.  I owe my life to him and he has never asked for a thing in return.  He makes me laugh.  We enjoy each other's company and can talk about everything.  He shops with me and I'm going to golf with him.  I can count on him for everything and he can count on me the same.

These are my ten, nearest and dearest to my heart.  Everyone has heard the saying that it takes a village to raise a child.  Well, it takes a village of good people to make another person feel whole.  When I was divorcing I thought about how a partner should compliment you.  Not "You're the most beautiful woman in the universe" compliment, but he or she should bring out the best in you.  He should encourage you and accept you.  He should pick you up when you fall and allow you to lean when you're not so sure.  I've been completed by the people around me.  It takes a lot for me to become comfortable with someone enough to call them a friend. 

I have made several new friends these past few months.  Some are near and some are very far.  I have Reena who rarely misses an article I write.  I'd like to call her my friend because she encourages me with every comment.  She's shared her children and her life with all of us.

I have a sweet southern boy who I met a few weeks ago.  He makes me smile every day. He shows his interest in me and we are becoming good friends.

And last, but most definitely not least, I have my new friend.  I've known her for a few years but have just recently talked to her more and more.  She's a mix of all of the above friends.  I see a little bit of all of those I love, in her.  I don't have a doubt that we will become good friends.  She, too, makes me laugh.  She peaks my interest in things I never thought I would be interested in.  She has talked to me when I was lonely and has pulled me out of funk quicker than some of my closest friends can.  She's made me believe that you can never have too many friends.  I hope to make many more through the rest of my life.  Some will come and some will go but those worth having stick around until the end of time.