I Get By With a Little Help from my Friends!

Now... first, you'll be singing that song all day!  So.... just go on and get it out of your system!  BELT IT OUT!  

Friendship.  Its part of our life... at every stage.   From birth to death, friends surround us and make our lives better or in some cases, worse.  (just as we do for them!)  This blog post was originally going to be about something else, but I had a conversation on the airplane yesterday... and I was touched and inspired.  

So... I was sitting next to a lovely elderly lady who started a conversation with me.  She was telling me she was on her way to see her best friend who had moved across the country and that twice a year they each traveled to see the other.   She told me stories of their younger days and how they had kept the friendship alive when they lived so far apart.   As she was talking, her eyes sparkled with laughter and a genuine feeling of love and fondness for this person that I had never met, yet somehow felt connected to instantly.   She asked me if I had a best friend and I told her that indeed I did, not one - but two.  She looked at me quite seriously and said, "Every day is a gift and every friendship another.  Don't ever take it for granted and always take care and nurture them. Without love and attention, they will die."

As I listened to her, I began to think how lucky we all are in this life.  Friends come in all shapes, sizes, colors and backgrounds.   We are all unique and different, yet, when you make a connection with someone - its one of the most precious gifts we are given.  She was so right!

For me, I have a lot of friends across the country which really amazes me.  I have re-connected with friends from my childhood and high school days that I didn't realize how much I missed them until I got the opportunity to talk to them again on a regular basis thanks to the social media phenomenon!  Facebook definitely has the market on re-connecting!

 I have made long lasting friendships that started out as business acquaintances.   Some of my closest friends today happened in just that way and honestly, I cannot imagine my life without them.    But, whether old, new, good or best... one thing is for certain, I am grateful and blessed for each and every one of them.

Emily Dickinson said, "My friends are my estate."  Never a more profound or truer statement. 

I've had several best friends over the course of my life.  Each different, yet they all enriched my life at the time and made it much better.   I would not be the person I am today without all of these influences over the years.  Often, I think, we take friendship for granted.   We shouldn't!  Its give and take.  It's two people investing in a relationship and taking time to make it work. 

Today, as I take a moment to reflect over the course of my 46 years... I know that without friends, life would have been extremely dull.  I feel very honored to know so many people and to be able to call them my friend.   I am extremely blessed with a circle of great friends who through good times or bad, they are always there.   I know that without my two very best friends, one is a sister to me and the other my hero... I would not be the person I am today.    To both of them, I would say... thank you for loving me enough through all my flaws, ups and downs, good, bad and yes... even ugly and for always being there when it counts. 

Take time to tell your own friends how important they are to you.   As the lovely lady on the airplane reminded me... life is precious.  Every day is a gift.   Every friendship is another.

So... now, my goal is to try to name every song written about friends!  Hmmm... wonder how long that will take?