Sunday, March 28, 2010

I get by with a little help from my friends

I am a lucky girl. I've known this for a while, I have actually spent time trying to figure out what I ever did to deserve the wonderful blessings I have in my life. A loving family, three beautiful, healthy, awesome children. My wonderful husband. Sure, there are lots of things I would change if I could - my health for instance. But you know, even that could be worse. And through that, the thing I'm beginning to realize I take for granted the most is becoming the thing I treasure above all: my friends. There are many kinds of friendships, I'm learning. There is the very special and unique, most important of all friendship I share with my husband of more than eleven years. There are no words for that particular connection, but lets just say its proven to be my sanity on many occasions in recent years. There are the friends I've had the pleasure of counting on since childhood, the kind of loyalty that is immeasurable and life-long. I count among my closest friends people I met when I was as young as eleven, whom I would still trust with my life to this day. Then there are friends I have made since becoming a mother, people who have given me advice and taken mine in return. Parenting is as scary as it is magical and it has meant the world to have the comraderie that exists only between fellow moms and dads. I've had school friends, work friends, carpool friends, friends met at school functions, friends made over playdates. It amazes me the amount of people I can count as friends - and I know they are friends because they remain in my life in some way long after the circumstances of our acquaintance has passed. I am thinking about this now because I am looking back on a weekend spent with great friends and can't help but be thankful. I am also missing my great friend who I lost to a military posting last summer, wanting to be there as she gets ready to welcome her third child into the family. A family I used to feel part of. But you know, I am choosing to look at it as a wonderful thing that I had that friendship, experienced so many things through that connection and will never lose the bond that I cherish so much. I have other such bonds that it will be my turn to leave this year as posting season draws near. People always ask me how I feel about moving, how I feel about leaving my friends, my coworkers, my job and my answer is this: six years ago when I moved here with two small children, pregnant and sick as a dog, I didn't know a soul. I remember thinking what a huge mistake it was to move here to a strange town where I didn't know a soul during a time when a girl wants her girlfriends. But six and a half years later I have an impressive list of wonderful, caring people that I love and cherish who I will count as treasured friends no matter where I live. Some I will see as often as I can, some we will run into during future postings, some will keep in touch for a while and then slowly move on. But I will forget nobody and my loyalty will be no less, my memories no less cherished regardless of where we stand in five years. The people we meet along the way are critical to making us who we are, how we raise our kids, how we see the world. I learn lessons from every one I count as a friend and I wouldn't give that up for anything. Do I have some friends I'd rather be closer to in some way? Sure. But as corny as it sounds, I believe people come into our lives for a reason and sometimes leave our lives for a reason. I have learned to try not to question it, but to be thankful for their influence and the time we had. As we're getting ready to leave this town and our "extended family" behind, I am warmed by the people I know, the people I have grown to care for as if we were related and I can't help but be encouraged that I will find the same thing in our new home - wherever that may be, whenever that may happen. If you're taking the time to read this then I can assure you I count you as a beloved friend and I have one very important thing to say: thank you.

3 comments:

SwedishJenn said...

Hey!!!!! Thanks for inviting me along for your ride Michelle. Mine is here: www.blondeinsweden.blogspot.com. Look forward to your posts Michelle, Old friend Jenn xo

Mandi said...

All I can say is 'Wow'.

Unknown said...

Thank you too Michelle, for counting me as one of your friends.