Girlfriends!

Today I witness and received the power of friendship in its finest form. Today started out a tough day. I have a dear friend, who is just as important a member of our family as anyone, and I came to understand the reality that she is sick. It has been hard, but that is just me being selfish, because no matter how hard it is for me, it am not in her shoes and having to endure it. Our friend is am amazing women, a survivor, a mother, a sister, a friend, a wife, an encouragement, and just someone who does life with others well. You would understand this if you have someone in your life who is like this. She is a pillar of strength, and a cushion of love and support all at the same time. The type of person who gives wings to your dreams simply by believing in you, and what you want to do and be.

Today, I came face to face with the fact that she is sick. And there is nothing I can do to fix this. Talk about disabling. All I wanted to do was come home, crawl into bed, and eat. Why eat, well because it might take my mind off of the hurt for a minute, or maybe it would stuff everything back down, either way it seems to have the power to make things better. Even if it is only for the temporary moment.

Then my calendar reminded me that I was supposed to meet up with a bunch of girlfriends I hadn't been able to get together with in a while. We were scheduled to celebrate one of our birthdays! These women came into my life, some would say by chance, and I would say by divine action. We are all in different places in life, experiencing different things yet, when we are together my soul is refreshed, and I laugh and am encouraged.

I so didn't want to go meet with them tonight. I thought and came close to calling and saying I wouldn't make it. But, I figured I would at least go and if I needed to I could always beg out early. It was just what I needed. We laughed, we talked about everything, and I mean everything. We celebrated, we tried to solved the problems of the world (well maybe not) they refreshed me.

Tonight could have been, tough. I could have followed the same patterns I was stuck in, withdrawing, and eating but I didn't. Sure I probably had one to many slices of honey wheat bread, and probably didn't need that bit of rich chocolate cake, but you know what. Tonight's meal was more nutritious and better for me than any other choice I could have made or would have made in the past. Tonight they helped to put life in perspective. I came to realize that life needs to be celebrated just like a birthday. Each moment is special, and who better to celebrate with than your family, loved ones and your girlfriends.