Friendship

After yesterday's blog I received an email from an old friend. By old, I mean we've been friends for 39 years, not that we are old at 57 (what seems old definitely depends on our own age!). I have talked to, but not seen, this friend in many years but we have a lifetime of history together. After all, we traveled across this great country together, via thumb. We've seen the good, the bad and the ugly together, outside and within ourselves. What a journey that was. I have many true friends and I have found that the definition has nothing to do with what they have done (materially) for you or you have done for them. I have found that a true friend is that person you can lose touch with for a long period of time and suddenly you're in touch and you pick up where you left off. It is as if you just spoke yesterday. These are the friends who have left an imprint on our souls. For whatever reason, they will always be in our hearts. God sent these friends to us for a reason. To my "oldest" true friends (in order from the time we became friends) Dad (with God), Mom (with God), Sandy, Willma, Etta, Tonya, Troy, Pauline (with God), Chris, Bear, Laurie, Teresa, Jessica, Sandy, Rosemary,Lillian (with God), Judy, Pam and yes, even Dale, thank you for being my friends. Knowing each of you has enriched my life. I have learned from each of you and hold you close to my heart.

Those of you still here to read this, please learn the art of "self care". My wise daughter has turned me on to the importance of this. So many of us take care of everyone else and put ourselves last. This is an injustice to our family and friends. We must take care of ourselves first or we won't be around to take care of those we love. We won't be around to make them miserable either, whatever the case may be. Ha Ha! That was supposed to be a funny-laugh.

It is not selfish to take care of yourself and put yourself first. God intended for us to honor, cherish and nurture this sacred vessel that he has lent to us for life on this earth. Most importantly, we are also doing this to enrich our souls. So to each of you, I ask that you take care of yourselves first. There will be plenty of time then for everyone else.
For some guidance, read Cheryl Richardson's, Art of Extreme Self-Care. She is a wonderful speaker and writer.

I know it seems easy for me to say this now that I have all this "free time". I believe God gave me this time to open my eyes. What did working 80 hours a week get me? Probably just further in debt. I still ended up working paycheck to paycheck with not much to show for all my "hard work". I thought so little of my self worth that I worked for free for over a year! Who does that? What was I thinking....just taking care of someone else when I should have been spending that time taking care of Liz. That's okay because I think I'm on the right track now, thanks to lots of wonderful people (you know who you are-take a bow).

To those who aren't on my "oldest friends" list, that means you are a newer friend or I haven't met you yet. Please take care of yourselves because I plan on being around and as Uncle Sam would say "I want you"... on my list. Love and Blessings to all.