Awkward Truth: The only friend I have within a 20 mile range, I pay to clean my house. True story. We moved hear almost 2 years ago, and I’ve yet to make anything more than acquaintances other than my house keeper. And I pay her, so I’m not sure that really counts.
This was really bothering me. I was feeling like a bit of a social leper when I finally started looking at the bigger picture that is my life.
I have a really great group of friends who live about 50 miles away. Others are scattered throughout the Greater Portland, Oregon area. I have good friends in Florida, Texas, Delaware, California, Utah, Idaho, Canada, various other States and countries, as well as the cyber world.
The sticky part of my friendships, and this is where I usually get hung up, is that they don’t look the way I’ve always thought friendships looked. In my mind we see each other regularly, we go out to lunch, we stop by one another’s homes and have tea.
I have no idea where I got this idea.
Now that I’m taking a closer look at things, I’m no longer sad. I actually feel like celebrating. I am blessed with a diverse group of friends with quick minds, varied lifestyles and insights I couldn’t hope to be able to tap if we were all from one area, one religion, one way of life.
The world has become so much more accessible than I ever imagined as a child. I avoid the words “so much smaller” as our world is still just as grand, mysterious and enchanting as ever, it is just more within our reach. We are a fortunate generation indeed.
This morning I am grateful for airplanes and internet. I’m grateful for fast cars and smooth roads on which to drive. I’m grateful for Skype, Facetime, instant messaging, Facebook, blogging, the U.S. Postal Service (but only a little), and reasonable gas prices. I am grateful to you for reading, to those of you who comment and a view of life that continues to broaden.
This world, my life, my friends, none of it looks like I thought it should look. And this morning I am grateful for that.
Great point. Thanks for sharing it.
And thank you for being my friend!
Great post Michelle. Some of the nicest people I “know” are online.
I count you among the nicest!
Sounds like my situation as well. Thanks for being a great friend and dusting me off and sending me in the right direction from across the country. Look up the Half the Sky organization. It is the one I was telling you about.
I will! Love you!
And, I am grateful for you! I just got of the phone with a new good friend a few minutes ago. It’s one of those friendships that’s genuine,easy, totally unexpected, and we’ve only known each other 6 weeks. Before that, I got a call from an old friend, Michelle Covert. Our friendship is familiar, constant, reassuring and comfortable. Going through girlfriend droughts is a challenge for sure. Some of my dearest friends live miles away. While I miss spending time with them, I truly treasure the ‘seasons’ of my life that I got to share with them.
I am grateful right back at you. My memories of our “season” together are simply packed with belly laughs and ridiculous childhood antics. Thanks for that!
Cousins count as friends, right? I miss seeing you and Aaron and having those great laughs. I think I should call you more. I need more of that medicine (laughter). Love you!
Cousins absolutely count as friends! I count you!