Friends Are The Family We Choose For Ourselves...

So, for those of you that follow this blog, you will know that I have been having a rough time with stressful life issues of late.  (Of course I have not disclosed the root of my sadness. This makes it more of a mystery, of sorts. INTERESTING....)

Anyway, I am writing a serious blog this time. So sorry to disappoint; but I promise to be funny soon!

I would not be anyone today, were it not for my friends.

I must honor the ladies who have "shown me the light" and "given me the strength" to go on. You want to hear what the consensus is (at least here in America?)

Women are strong.

Women are wise.

Women have value.

But, sometimes we forget how valuable we are...and we shouldn't.

I have "friends galore." I am lucky. I am surrounded by love. Women who like what I like; reading good books, listening to good music, and watching a good movie now and then. We value our children, and the lessons we learn daily from them. My friends have an awareness of where their life is going, and where it's been. My friends are all seeking growth. They want to be better people. I have a few relatives that are friends as well...that's great to be related to people you'd like to be friends with!

I am going to quote here from one of my favorite books: Kahlil Gibran from THE PROPHET:

"And a youth said, Spealk to us of friendship:

And he answered saying;

Your friend is your needs answered. He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.

And he is your board and our fireside. 

For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.

When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."

And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart; 

For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.

When you part from your friend, you grieve not;

For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.

And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit. 

For Love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth; and only the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend.

If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also. 

For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill? 

Seek him always with hours to live.

For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.

And in the sweetness of friendship, let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."

Yea, yeah, yeah. I just needed to pay homage to the very brave, wise, and strong women who have carried me through good and bad times always. That's what friends are for.

You all know who you are. 

My friends are my heart, my air, my peace.

Thank God they put up with my crapola. 

No one else would. 

Damn, I'm lucky.

(Even if I do have a black cloud floating over my head.....They are said to be contagious, you know!)

Cheerth!