30 August 2007

What It Means

This picture, to me, is what it means to have a friend.

Someone to stand next to you, close enough to take your hand if you need it.

Someone to walk beside you, sharing the path, and everything that lies along its way.

Someone alongside you to look forward to the road ahead and help you decide which street to take.

Someone to help you navigate the alleys that you mistakenly walked down.

Someone to help you not feel so small when you're looking at a world that seems so big.



This picture, to me, is what it means to have a friend.

Someone to hang out at baseball games with in your very best braids.

Someone to swing with, as high as you can, feet catapulting to the stars, heads tipped back, wind staining your cheeks pink.

Someone to say, "Oh my God! Great Idea"! When you suggest chasing down a mascot and asking him to autograph your shoe.

Someone to lean into and up against, whether you're laughing or crying your hardest.

That's what it means, to me, to have a friend.

And today, I'm thanking God for all of you.

24 comments:

luckyzmom said...

Precious. Really precious. Thank you sweet heart.

S said...

Right back atcha, friend.

Lawyer Mama said...

Oh, love this post. LOVE it. Friends are wonderful, as are you.

Blog Antagonist said...

I love that picture. It's amazing how people you've never met can be friends, isn't it? I hope you're feeling better today.

Christine said...

your the best, really, love.

and this: "Someone to help you navigate the alleys that you mistakenly walked down." this struck a cord i can't even describe. someday maybe.

Loralee Choate said...

This post really got to me today. Maybe it is because my friends (Especially those that have been with me long enough to remember braid or unfortunate 80's hair) mean everything to me.

They are the family that you choose.

Thanks for this. It was needed.

flutter said...

And I for you, love. For you and your beautiful, strong, glorious fragile heart. ((you))

Girlplustwo said...

we are all so blessed to have found each other, aren't we.

Aimee said...

I just love Blogville. That I can call you "my friend" and you'll know I'm not being flip or snarky, but that I really think of people I haven't met as friends.

Thanks, friend :)

T with Honey said...

They should replace the meaning of 'friendship' in the dictionary with this post.

Chaotic Joy said...

Beautiful post. Beautiful girls.

Amanda said...

He's probably pretty busy today, what with all of us thanking him right back. Probably a nice break from all the, "Oh God, why'd you let him take office?" demands.

Becc said...

Beautiful friendships are a treasure, for sure. I love you and hope you are well, physically and mentally.

Be safe this weekend.

JustMe said...

friends. sisters. there's nothing better, is there?

KC said...

I'm so thankful too. xo

carrie said...

That was lovely.

Justabeachkat said...

Very sweet!

Hugs!
Kat

Lauren said...

Okay. That's it. I love you. I LOVE this post. That said, I need to know your plan. Presumably you are not on the road as we speak driving 36 days away (would you need a boat for that? - my education is notably lacking in humanities?)

If it is not something you can share yet I get that. But I was once you... Not exactly, in that my sweet R's father was not a great or best friend. Nonetheless the WERE friends. And the hardest part was this: Once R was born I felt SO guilty about depriving my former friend of this young miracle. I tried to contact him. I tried to talk. (I got through once and he said he had company and he'd call me back in 20 minutes) but when I called back much later that night his number had been disconnected. So I stopped feeling guilty or caring about him in any way and I concentrated on loving and living with my young son.
Now, my darling boy is 21 years old and he wants to know about his biological father. I've tried for about a year and I can't find him. I don't particularly want to but I did my part... He was in my best friends' (teenage and childhoold) wedding and I asked them where he was; i search the Michigan state prison system where rumor had it he might be incarcerrted; I googled him in both the name i knew him by and the name my best friend's husband told me was the actual one which should be put on the birth certificate.

Sorry... I lost my thought process for a few minutes... This is about you and your darling Little A, not about me and R. I want so much for you to get the fairytale ending from this yet I fear so much for what will be left if you don't... Please, please, please, remembe that you have had thus far a full and complete life without him. Please, please, please know that Little A can not only manage but thrive without him. And if the miracle happens, and he is all that anyone could hope for him to be to you and both of your A's then, love him forever; keep him as close to you emotionally as you can; and know that although you COULD in fact, live without him, you don't have to.
Much love, Lauren

Redsy said...

yes.. true friends... the internet is full of them...

Amy Y said...

That was so sweet...
I can not imagine my life without my friends ~ all the ways they have touched me... Thank you for that lovely reminder!

Gill said...

Beautiful post!
I've tagged you over at my blog.

Anonymous said...

I was looking at those pictures and trying to envision my almost 2 yo daughter with a friend like that several years down the road.

So heartwarming!

Janet said...

I love those pictures, and the sentiments you wrote to go along with them.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

How sweet. a picture really is worth a 1000 words.