Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Friends


Last evening we bought Hugh's friend, Connor, home with us. They had a blast. Even allowed the annoying little sister to join in. Here they are copying Grover from Sesame Street on the lap top and giggling like there was no tomorrow.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank the incredible women out there who are my friends. Some I see daily, some I converse cyberly with daily, some we just check in on each other every so often. Some live here, most live far far away and I have never met them and may never will. I was going to write a whole mushy thank you for the incredible supportive emails I have received and how much it meant to me. But my dear friends Jennie and Brenda forwarded this to me as an email today and instead of emailing it to everyone (which I still may) I thought it so very aptly summed up my heart and wanted I wanted to say. So to my HB, Andrea, K, Up and Over, DCP, Grammy J, my new scrapping buddy Jodie, my singing sister Angie, Zuz, my Canadian snow chicky and my ever faithful Amiga's 2 & 3 (how is that for an array of nicknames!) I dedicate this to you all and say from the bottom of my heart - THANK YOU!!!

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter. 'Don't forget your Sisters,' she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.' 'Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women...your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women always do.' What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!' But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life. After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned: THIS SAYS IT ALL: Time passes. Life happens. Distance separates. Children grow up. Jobs come and go. Love waxes and wanes. Men don't do what they're supposed to do. Hearts break. Parents die. Colleagues forget favors. Careers end. BUT......... Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life! The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Every day, we need each other still. Pass this on to all the women who help make your life meaningful.

3 comments:

Wendy said...

I've seen this before and it is true...we have to stick together and cheer each other on...through thick and thin!! Hugs to you Helen!!
Love the photos of the munchkins, looks like they are having a BLAST!! Glad you were able to take sometime to take photos and blog...Miss you!!

Angie said...

Someone sent this to me just the other day.

I'm here for you, baby. Through thick and thin.

Jodie Redman said...

Thank you! I am so glad we've become friends! I really appreciate all your help with the scrapping.

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