Sadly my grown up kids cannot be here for the holidays, but I am fortunate to have great friends that are like a large family to me. Besides, you know the old saying: “you cannot pick your family, but you can pick your friends”. I am grateful and happy to say I have the best friends anyone could have.
Every holiday I am invited to one of my best friend’s house whether she is hosting the particular holiday or one of her relatives are. I have been attending and celebrating with their family for so long that my daughter told someone it wouldn’t be a holiday if we didn’t spend it with Mike and Sharon (my best friends) . These particular friends are so great to have in my life. I really hope you have someone like this couple as they have been with me over the last 23 years through thick and thin.
They are the kind of friends that will stop everything to come help you. I know when I have had drama in my life; they have stood by me giving me advice here and there, but usually only when I ask for it. They don’t intrude in my life and want nothing in return for their generosity. They both work hard and have two boys my daughter’s age who both do great in school. Family is very important to them.
My friend Mindy is fabulous too. Not only is she gorgeous and healthy keeping me in line with my health, but she has always been there for me. Between driving me to the hospital to making me homemade soup, she is always concerned about me. We may not speak every day but if she doesn’t hear from me, she checks in with a text.
My neighbors do too. If they don’t see my car move or see me milling around, they will text or call me and on several occasions, one neighbor brings me food when I have been sick.
They say if you have two good friends that you can count on you are doing great, which is why I am so grateful to actually have more. A couple of years ago when I had cancer, I could barely make it to work and my friends gave $20 each, many much more and handed me a stack of cash one day to help me move into a cheaper place and get back on my feet. I can assure you I was in shock and when one of my friends suggested I create a Go Fund me page, she sent it to everyone in her church who each anonymously gave.
Because I have so many giving people in my life, I go out of my way now to give when I can and sometimes when I can’t. I pay more attention to people and when they are having a bad day, I just try to be a good, kind friend to them much like my friends did for me during rough times.
They say you are who you hang out with so take a look at your friends.
