On Friendship

Instead of being a joyful season, I used to find this time of year actually sucked the joy right out of me.  That has improved as my kids have gotten older and life has settled down somewhat.

To continue with my series on wellness, I want to share a brief meditation I hope will boost your morale / spirits.  This week I want to focus on friendship.

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24

I have found that true friendship is hard to come by and is a precious gift to treasure.  There are different types of friends ... friends for a lifetime or a season ... confidants ... those you enjoy spending time with ... those you trust with your darkest secrets and those you go to for advice.  The best ones are those who listen to you without judgment.

Over the past six months, I have been struggling with the loss of a friend.  The pain is deep and often cuts to the core.  Just when I think I've got it under control, a wave of grief passes over me and I just want to cry.  There are not too many people I can talk to about it.  In fact, I don't really want to talk to people about it.  I just want my friend back.  (I wrote about this here:  How long does it take to heal a broken heart?)

That said, today I talked to Erica and she heard me.  I told her that I need my brain to shut off, so that at 1:30 a.m. when I can't sleep, I'm not wrought with grief that shakes me for the rest of the day.  She gave me some good advice, some things I need to just say to myself over and over.  She can't know how much she helped me.  She is the kind of friend I want to keep forever.

I love this girl!  She's my person.

Recently I made a new friend.  Her name is Lidiya.  Lidiya is probably one of the nicest people I have ever met.  Being around her and talking to her makes you want to be a better person.  We walk together twice a week and talk about everything.  I mean everything.  I am so glad she is in my life.

Lidiya invited me to the Bible Truck Exhibit at her church last month.  They had a photo booth and we posed for a couple pictures they used to make a bookmark souvenir for us. 

As you rush through the next few weeks, take some time to appreciate your friends.  Who are the people you trust most?  Who listens to you when you feel like you're out of your mind?  Who makes you want to be a better you?  Write them a note.  Tell them what they mean to you.  Give them a hug and thank them for being there.  Say a prayer for them.

Count on Me by Bruno Mars

Occasionally I talk to people who tell me they don't really have any friends.  If this is the case, I suggest you seek out at least one person and try to cultivate that relationship.  If you are a super busy mom or dad, driving your kids all around, try to befriend the parents of your kids' friends.  It could be a text message that says, "What are you doing this weekend?  Do you want to grab lunch?  Coffee?"  Don't just say, "We should get together sometime."  Do it. Set a date and stick to it.  It can take time to see if you're a good fit together.  It's worth the investment.  It is.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Life is precious.  Friendship is a valuable treasure to hold onto.

Read more from my series on wellness

Radio Silence

The Empty Fridge Syndrome

Put a Little Love in Your Step

Questions for you...
Do you have at least one person you can talk to, who will hear you and listen to you without judgment?  Who is that person?  Write him/her a note today.

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It's Time to Graduate

Instead of my traditional blog, this will be more of a photo blog...

This past week has been busy, but I'm not really sure that is the right word.  This sums it up...

Let me back up...

Last weekend was fantastic.  Our friends bought a cottage on Little Alum Pond, so we went up to spend the day.  Had an amazing and relaxing time.  We went kayaking and I even tried their stand-up paddle board (SUP).  It was awesome, I think I found a new favorite pastime.

My iPhone is allergic to water, so no pics of me on the SUP.  I loved it!  All in all, it was a perfect day.

Sunday, after I worked out, my shoulder was killing me.  It was sore when I went to the gym, so I took it easy.  I don't think I did anything at the gym, but afterwards, I was in excruciating pain.

Monday, my stomach was off and I was quite sick in the afternoon.

Tuesday, Jenna and I planted a rock garden out front.  I'm looking forward to the flowers blooming.

Wednesday was the BIG day!!! My son graduated from high school.  I am so proud of him.  Words cannot express...

Thursday was the worst day I had at work all year.  Without going into any specifics, I don't remember having had such a bad day.

I never got to eat my salad with grilled chicken because things got so hectic.
I grabbed this at Costco for a quick "on the go" lunch.

That night was my godson's band concert.  He just started playing the trumpet in October last year.  The band was amazing.  Sam did an AWESOME job. (Sam is on the far left, in the front.)

Friday I left work a little early (with permission) to start getting ready for Joey's graduation party.  The rest of the day was spent shopping and cleaning.  No pictures of Friday.

Yesterday was the party and it was a blast!  We did the traditional grilling (hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken), but instead of traditional picnic sides, we had a baked potato bar and a sundae bar, which were a big hit!

Some of the leftovers.  I didn't take any pictures yesterday because I was busy putting food out and talking to our guests. 

Had this for dinner tonight....yummy!

It was an amazing time.  Our friends and family came out to join us in celebrating Joey's big day.  There were teenagers here until...  Well, actually, there are a few still here!  They are sleeping on the floor upstairs.

Bottom picture is Joey and his friends from elementary school, who all graduated this year from their respective high schools.  They are still friends!

After 18 years, one month and 15 days, our "baby" has grown up!  It's no longer the cute little boy with the Bob the Builder shirt on his way to Preschool, we now have a young man with us.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

Today is Graduation Sunday at church, where they recognize the graduates.

It's also my friend's baby shower.

That's Erica (top left pic, on the left)...the cupcakes were YUMMY!

Tomorrow is my school's graduation.  It will be a LONG day for me.

My turn to graduate is next.  I've been delinquent with finishing my portfolio, so with all the craziness done, it's time to send the circus on its way and fill in the few missing pieces, type it all up and sent it out.

With the sore shoulder (I am starting to think I should see the doctor) and my busy schedule, both my workouts and my nutrition have been off.  The trick is being conscious of where you are going and making sure you don't veer too far off track.  It's time to get back to basics.

I'll leave you with this completely unrelated picture, just to make your day!

Princess Leia:  Isn't she soooooo cute?  As crazy as she is, she brightens my day every day.

Questions for you...
What are you up to this weekend?  What makes you happy when you are overwhelmed or stressed?

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How do you like your eggs?

What did you have for breakfast today?  I had an egg white frittata with spinach and tomatoes and some Kashi oatmeal with almond milk.  It was delicious and satisfying!  I love eggs!

This morning's frittata was spinach and tomato.  This is one has steamed broccoli.

When I first started dieting in the 1980s, I remember eggs were "bad for you." They are high in fat and cholesterol.  I liked them well enough, all kinds of ways: egg salad, hard-boiled eggs, scrambled, soft boiled, poached, fried, deviled eggs, and omelettes.  Whether I was trying to lose weight, I've always thought of them as fattening, so I avoided them.

Since I've been on this journey, I realize that they are actually quite healthy:  full of nutrients and protein. Contrary to what we once believed, the cholesterol in eggs does not affect the blood cholesterol of most people*.  Eating two-three eggs a few times a week is definitely reasonable. 

So, how do you like your eggs? Me? I like them over easy and I don't really mind if the yolks crack. I kinda even like them broken sometimes.  If I want to be truthful, it doesn't even bother me if they're a little overcooked.

Anything at all but sunny side up.

Look at sunny side up eggs, they are too pretty to eat.   I know people like them, but they are too neat and clean for me.

You probably are thinking that this post is all about eggs, don't you?

The truth is, it's more about being real. It's hard to trust people who always serve their eggs sunny side up. I want someone who's going to be honest, who will serve things the hard way sometimes (albeit with love).   Over-easy or over-medium...sometimes they come out perfectly and sometimes they're messy.

I really have a hard time with people who always serve their eggs sunny side up.

If we are really friends, then you're going to be honest with me.

From time to time we might even hurt each other's feelings, but we always makeup and share the love after.  We don't just mask over things and pretend nothing ever happened.

I'm going to share your hardships and you're going to share mine.

That's what friendship really is.

Thanks for being my friend...no matter how you serve your eggs, especially if they come out messy sometimes.

*Studies are not conclusive about how eggs effect the cholesterol levels of diabetics.  It's the yolk that contains the cholesterol, so whites are fine.

Questions for you:  (Answer in the comments below.)
What did you have for breakfast today? How do you like your eggs?  

Now:  Subscribe to new posts!  When a new post is added, you will receive an email notice so you can check it out.  I promise:  no SPAM and I won't share your email address with anyone.  Look at the top right side of the page to subscribe.  

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