Friends.......

I have been thinking a lot about friends lately.  For various reasons this has been front and center in my mind.  One reason is I am always amazed at who shows up, calls, checks in or sends an unexpected word of encouragement. The second reason is I am watching my girls navigate, build and end friendships of their very own.  Let's face it girls can be tough on each other, judgmental, critical or even brutal.

But God has given me through every phase of my life good, tried and true girlfriends.  I am grateful.  We all need a shoulder to lean on, an ear to bend, a co-pilot, a partner who will maintain our confidence to the bitter end and a girl who buys for you when you can't get to the sale yourself.

So as I've watched my girls ebb and flow through various friendships it has been joyful and heart wrenching.  Because I have had a little experience and because I have zero emotional connection to these various girls, I can usually spot those that will last and those that are just passing through.  It is hard as a mom to keep silent about those that are obviously just passing through.  It is hard not to put a little wind behind their sails and help them pass through a little quicker.  But there are lessons to be leaned in figuring out these things on your own - Now let's not be ridiculous there have been a couple that I've been vocal about.....but they totally deserved it.  For the most part I try to just ask a few thought provoking questions like.....did she call to congratulate you....did she text to check on how that went for you.  You know if a girl can't be happy for you when things are going well or compassionate when things are not - they just aren't keepers.  Thankfully both of my girls have some real keepers in their lives.

Granted we all get busy, we don't nurture our friendships like we should but it's clear who's sincerely in your corner and who's not.

Again. I am beyond blessed with some really fantastic friends.  Some I talk to every day, some every week, some once a month or less but I know - they are there for me.  If you are one of those people in my life, you clearly know who are and I love you dearly.  I have been lifted in prayer, hugged, and tended to by the very best.  Just this weekend I found an anonymous package on my porch.  It is a canvas of me and my husband from our Nantucket trip.  It is the sweetest, most generous gesture.  It is a testament to how blessed I am in the friend department.  I am loved well and I am thankful for it. And I hope I am loving well in return.

Need to reach out, rekindle, reconnect with someone? Guess what - today is a really good day to do so!

Take care, my friends!