Day 22
Today is Thank a Friend Day. No, it’s not. But for me … it is.
Friend: ally, buddy, chum, companion, pal, playmate, sidekick. However you say it – it still means a friend.
Friend: a person whom one knows, likes and trusts. One who supports and sympathizes with another.
To all my friends, my pals, my buddies … I say thank you.
You know who you are. I know who you are. You are a kind and generous and loyal friend.
Thank you for your sweetness, your thoughfulness, your love. Thank you for your kindness, your hugs, and your regard.
Thank you for your time, your treats, your gifts, and your words of comfort and encouragement. Thank you for your positive vibes, your flowers, your concern, your counsel.
Thank you for coffee and lasagna. Thank you for holding me up when you knew I couldn’t stand. Thank you for having my back … and for letting me lean on you when my spirit was broken.
Thank you for all the big and small things … for coming to my rescue, more than once … for finding the dog when she was lost … for making me sit and talk … for making me lunch … for making me cry … for making me laugh.
Thank you for letting me complain and thank you for listening while I did it. Thank you for not judging me and for always being there for me – no matter when, no matter what.
Thank you for putting me first and for thinking of me – when you didn’t have to. Thank you for showing me that I am loved and cared for and special.
Thank you.
Yesterday I received a yummy scented candle from my “newest” friend. Her thoughtfulness deeply touched me as it arrived when I was thinking there is too much bad news … too much weirdness … too much sadness … too much whatever for people I know. TOO MUCH. Coincidence that it arrived to lift my spirits? I don’t know … perhaps divine intervention or a cosmic coordination of efforts? Whatever. It was wonderful and made me want to thank my friends for always being there in my life.
Today is the 26th. Tim died July 26, 2006. My body KNOWS when it’s the 26th of every month before I am even aware of the date … those cells that mingled with his know that, no matter what month, the 26th resonates pain and sorrow … and they react with sadness and involuntary distress. I can’t explain it but here I am 67 months later and my body still knows that something REALLY, REALLY bad happened on a day such as this.
And it did.
And for all of you who helped me through that time – I say thank you. I hope you never know the outpouring of compassion we were gifted. Such good friends.
In my book (“148 Days ~ A Journey of Love and Loss”) I quoted Mohammed Ali as saying, ‘”Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.”‘
Very true. Good observation, Mr. Clay.
You, my friends, have learned well.
Friendships are priceless – whether they are for a reason, a season or a lifetime – they are always of value. Something is gleaned from them … no matter how long they last. Cherish what is.
So in good times and in bad … I hope I can be the kind of friend you have been to me. I am so very fortunate to be loved by so many. Thank you my dear friends!
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