Sometimes I'm mushy

When Georgia was in the hospital for pneumonia (remember - she was 6 weeks old? Just thought I'd remind you of the terrifying situation;) a friend of mine gave me this book. The book has maybe 100 pages (they aren't numbered) and each page or every other page has a quote about friendship on it. To be honest, when she first gave it to me, I kind of looked at it and thought, "This is nice" and figured I'd look at it in more depth later. I kind of tucked it away and didn't do anything with it until I found it two weeks ago while doing my secret project. Since finding it, I have read and re-read every page many times. I've thought and thought and thought while holding the book. Finally I decided that I wanted to think of a friend that I'm reminded of by each quote and write something about him or her.

I'm hoping that in my lifetime God will bless me with enough friends to fill every page. I'm hoping that at some point I will be able to share my thoughts with each of these friends personally, if I haven't already. I find it is difficult to stumble upon a conversation or a situation that lends itself to sharing my true feelings about someone to that person (sorry - I think that was a pretty bad sentence, but I don't know how else to say that). Having this book has helped me be intentional about thinking about how I feel about my friends and putting my feelings into words. My words may not be incredibly eloquent or articulate (see sentence above LOL!), but actually putting my feelings about my friends onto paper has been incredibly cathartic for me. Taking the time to really - I mean really - think about what my friends mean to me has been intensely gratifying.

I'd like to offer you a glimpse into my friendships every so often (okay, basically when I feel a need to blog, but my life is too boring to have something to blog about). I'm not going to do these in order of how much I love these people or in any particular order whatsoever, so please don't be offended if I don't start with you:)

"How life catches up with us and teaches us to love and forgive each other."

-Judy Collins. B.1939

Cara

Why did it take so long for us to get along and like each other? It took 22 years for us to get along and 3 more years for us to really like each other. I love you. Out of everyone, you are truly my best friend. You know me, you understand me, you allow me to be myself completely. You laugh with me and at me and you make me laugh like no one else in my life. No one.

I love you and I know I don't tell you often enough. I am honored to be able to call you my best friend and to have a lifetime of memories of you and with you.

I wish we lived closer. I'm not just saying that - I really, really long to have you closer, geographically. I want to have coffee once a week, to work on our houses together, to babysit each others kids, to go out for drinks, to do everything together. I want to share our lives - for real, not just over the phone. I miss you and I love you.

Side note: Cara - do NOT call me and get all mushy on the phone with me;) You know how I don't like to talk about these things. I'm dutch and I have no feelings whatsoever so don't try to talk to me about them - I'm fine.