“Even though we’ve changed and we’re all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we’ll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we’re not all still friends.” ~ Unknown

Hello, hello, hello.  So happy to be back with everyone.  As you may have inferred from my somewhat chaotic ramblings the week before last, the swirling amount of to-dos came to their proverbial head last week as we tried to prepare the new house to be livable from the renovation (still on-going), moved, KSP left town, E had a major pediatric neurology appt., preparing our other house for move in, managing the unpacking and caring for 2 babies whose mouths are apparently filling up with teeth at alarming rate causing them fevers and a great deal of pain….something had to give, and it seemed to my personal time (save the glass of Sauv Blanc I snuck in around 11 pm each night  after my shower…a girl has to do something for herself:)).  So that meant no writing, which I missed dearly, and more than that I missed this ever growing circle of friends I seem to be making in this new digital age.

Friendship is really top of mind today as I have been so blessed with amazing family and friends who literally rallied around me this past week to help me unpack, bring me nibbles, loan me fans, rug cleaners and whatever else I needed.  I suppose I could start to pinpoint the moments for my many friends where we became good friends.  Where we stopped dating (you do end up dating some frogs in this scenario, but unlike love, there are many opportunities for princes/princesses who become the most dear friends you could imagine).  There have been spontaneous talks, fun nights out, major life events, quiet moments and of course time.  It’s a beautiful thing to know that as you progress through life and you will have moments of happy, sad, joy, fear and crazy these people are there and even when you are bad at asking for help, they show up (virtually and/or physically) and make things easier.  To be this kind of friend is what I strive to be and hopefully we all do.  I fall down sometimes in the busyness of life, but you know those people who always seem to get the birthday card out, or call because they remember that something is happening, or rally around you in times of need, or just make a call to say they are thinking of you.  Those people change your life. They make you want to be a better person.  To give more. To be more compassionate.  To practice more kindness. I have been very blessed in life to know many of these people both near and far away and now with the advancements in technology we can all be so much more connected.  To send a note, or a hug, or just a simple I am thinking of you.  How those elements brighten someones day. These gestures are a gift that may seem insignificant but could be just the thing that helps someone through a rough moment or adds to a happy one.

Technology can also make communities of people your friends.  Through like circumstances of life, marriage, divorce, IVF, having a baby, growing children,  pain, illness, preemies, special needs, Autism, death, etc. there are whole communities of people who are willing to provide compassion and support for those they don’t even know.  I have experienced this personally through this blog and its social media extensions of Facebook and Twitter.  To reach out to these communities is to not feel isolated and to not feel isolated starts to allow people dealing with issues to start to feel more open with those that care about them.  The warmth, empathy and compassion that can be generated through social media and technology is so remarkable and so necessary for so many.  These people too can become your friends and not just in the virtual world but in the real world and what a special gift to receive in life.

So today, whatever stage your find your friendships in, dating, new, old, happy, sad, digital, or real world, take the time to be grateful and appreciative.  Look into your heart and see if there is anyone special you are thinking of and send them a quick note, Facebook them, Tweet to them, or make a call to say hi and I am so happy you are my friend.  Friendship is an amazing gift that brings such joy, laughter, comfort and compassion and sometimes you don’t even realize how much of an impact you make in a person’s life but they do and vice versa, so today, know this, and make today yournewfavoriteday and someone elses’.  To all my friends and friends of this blog, thank you for you for being my friend.