BFF# 131 I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

Growing up, I had few friends due to living out in the country and having really over protective parents. There were two neighbor girls who lived in the houses next door to me and some other girls who lived way down the road from me. Sadly, we have long since lost touch and I am no longer friends with any of them. I doubt they ever think of me today.

I went to a Catholic college that consisted of a single gender campus - female. I garnered my true friends when I went to school here. It wasn’t easy living with a bunch of girls; all with different hormonal schedules. In fact, I remember some very painful moments. I recall a time when my father had to install security locks on my suite doors because of one very unpleasant situation that I don’t care to remember. (Unfortunately, I do…and it really irks me to this day when I think about it.)

The friends I made in college have remained loyal to me these many years since graduation. Although we are separated across the miles, we still keep in touch and have tried to visit each other when we are able. My dearest friend, Shelli, even flew out to California when my husband had to fly overseas for business. It was probably one of the most selfless acts ever performed for me. She could have gone anywhere for her vacation, yet she and her husband came to visit anyway. I was fortunate that they had business clients in the area, but nevertheless, she and her husband John, have been there for me whenever I have needed them.

I have made few friends since college; mostly from places where I have worked. While in Arizona, I met my friend Debbie while working at the paper mill. We are still friends today even though she and her family have now moved backed to the Midwest. How funny that they are living in Minnesota and the snow, while I fled the Midwest snowy winters for a sunnier lifestyle in California!

I have made another work friend while living out West. But alas, she too has moved away and I don’t see her nearly as much. I have an upcoming opportunity to visit Rona in about a week, but it will be a very short social call as I will only be in her area for about a day.

I’ve made some new friends recently. I’ve joined some Facebook groups and interact with many wonderful people who have been instrumental in helping me grow as both a person and a writer. They have stood by me as I worked through the various writing prompts and unburied parts of me that I thought were long since buried and dead. The ladies of The Writers’ Post, GBE 2 Blog On, and BFF Blogging for Fun have been extremely supportive and I value their friendship more than ever. But alas, we are all spread out across the country and only connect when we are online.

Does anyone see a pattern here? It seems all of my friends are far away. No one is really close by. Maybe that is why I feel so lonely sometimes...

I had the day off today, but I didn’t have anyone to spend it with except for myself. But here’s a shocker for you…I really had a good time! With all the turmoil that has been going on in my life, it has taken a long time to really enjoy being by myself. I rarely had days off during the week before things started to collapse in my former life, so it felt a little strange to be off without having someone around.

I had an epiphany recently. Life’s lessons can be a struggle, but the truth is, I may be lonely sometimes, but I am never really alone. All I have to do is turn on my computer, and I am connected to my friends, wherever they may live.

“A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.” ~Douglas Pagels

Before I go to sleep...I want to share this with you:



Good night dear friends…I give thanks to all of you…and surprise…I am not crying.

(((Hugs))) to all of you!



P.S. My best friend...well he had to work today, but I spend every weekend with him. Love and hugs to my husband, Edward.

***I have written this piece for a group on Facebook that I have joined, BFF Blogging For Fun. Interested in more...click on the picture below to take you there. Don't forget to check out my friends at One Stop Blog World, a collective of all the great blog sites of which I am a member!