You've Got a Friend in Me

"Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. 

Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. 

Just walk beside me and be my friend." -Albert Camus

I feel so fortunate to have made the wonderful friendships I have in the past year or so. The ladies I have met through my book club, movie club, then our Bunco group are such a blessing. We've had so many fabulous laughs (the almost pee your pants kind), shared a few tears, and perhaps most importantly, developed a strong bond.

Our  second  Bunco, Feb 2011

Seeing them always puts a smile on my face.(click above)We are at all different stages of our lives. Some are married, some are single, one is getting married; one is having a baby. Like me, there is one who struggles with infertility. Some have careers, some are stay-at-home-moms, but all are extremely intelligent and literally have hearts of gold.

Melissa and Shan

Hands 4 Hope Halloween Party

There is an old saying..."Good friends are like stars. You don't always see them, but you know they're always there." With our group, we're always there for each other and I believe this makes all the difference. I trust these women and our friendship is built solidly on mutual respect. 

Erin, Trish, Kelly & Melissa

Michelle, Jess, Lynsey & Nora

It's harder to make friends when you are older. Even for someone like me, who is quite outgoing, making friends is much easier when you are younger. Life is not easy, but having friends by your side that you can share life experiences with, makes it easier.

Jess, Shan, Sara & Trish

EDH Concert in the Park 2011

Erin & Shan (SS)

I consider myself very lucky to have found these women. Through books, movies, Bunco, and most importantly, loving friendship, they have made my life so much fuller.

Self Happiness

It is easy to get caught up in what others think of you. No matter who you are, people will always judge how you look, the choices you make, the friends you keep, and the way you live your life.

Judgement is not limited to race, social class, or even gender. You know the old saying...

You can please some people sometimes...
but you can't please all the people all the time.

And you know what I've learned? That is Okay.

I'll admit, I've lived a good portion of my life worried of what others think of me. 

Wisdom (or perhaps just age) has taught me...

There are different ways to view this quote and while interpretation falls to the reader, it reminds me that my happiness does not depend of the acceptance of others. Of course, this is often easier said than done, but it is something to strive for. 

It does not mean that I will not be concerned for you. As my friends and family know, I have a huge heart and will go to any length for those I love.

But, I will exert less of my energy fretting over what others think of me. 

At the very least, I will be concerned, but not too concerned.