National Girlfriends Day
Today is National Girlfriend’s day…
I am more that blessed to have the strong women who I call my friends!
Martha, My sister, and my sisters in law, Tammie D., Laurie B, Judy and Angelique
Julie – I have known you most of my life and nearly all my best memories growing up include you
Marji – Ever since that day in 9th grade Algebra, you have been my bestie! I owe much of my spiritual growth through high school to you!
Janis – Making the decision to have another couple as our best friends to walk through life was one of our smartest choices as a couple. Choosing you and Steve was a no-brainer at the time and has literally changed my life!
Marianne – Meeting you at Forest Home was ordained! What we did to grow our relationship was inspired!
Cam – sitting together in band started a journey that has shared its ups and downs. But we always land on our feet! (just like a cat!!!)
Susan T- first I met your brother, then your parents. But when I met you I felt at home. Kindred spirits. My role model as a mom!
Laura – we raised our kids together! You are a fun friend and a great cook!
Tami – our love of books and movies and crosswords….boy do I miss you living next door!
Lauren – how did it happen?!
Jo & Kathy – Baseball, Jesus, flea, Disney…
Wanda & Sue D – from students to friends. a lifetime of laughter tears and prayers. Your steadfast friendship is an anchor in my soul
Catie and Alex – who would have known that trips to the children’s wing on the cancer floor would cement a lifelong friendship. I am so proud of the women you have become.
Ginny – You are beautiful and conscientious inside and out.
Ruth – I want to be like you “when I grow up”.
There are more that I would consider besties, whether for a season or for keeps: Tibby, Carmen, Virgie, Ginger, Ann, Lauren, Lisa, Mikey, Shelley, Jeanine, Carol J, Carole Z, Karen, Lorie, Lorraine, LoAnne, Michelene, Patty, Pam, Debbie, Pam R., Sue B, Susan W., Val, Connie, Kelsey, Norma….I can’t even name them all. There are so many chances to hurt people by making a list, and that is not my intention. Whether or not you are named, you are treasured by me and I keep you in my heart.
Also, as I write this the lyrics to “For Good” from Wicked has been playing in my mind:
I’ve heard it said,
That people come into our lives
For a reason
Bringing something we must learn.
And we are led to those
Who help us most to grow if we let them.
And we help them in return.
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you.
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun,
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood.
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better
But because I knew you.
I have been changed for good.
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime.
So, let me say before we part:
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you.
You’ll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart.
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have rewritten mine
By being my friend.
Like a ship blown from it’s mooring
By a wind off the sea.
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood.
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better
But because I knew you…
Because I knew you…
I have been changed for good.
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better
I do believe I have been changed for the better.
But because I knew you…
Because I knew you…
I have been changed for good.
..and we all love you dearly and share a kindred sisterhood though we don’t (in many cases) even know one another, we are all privileged to call you our friend. You are the very definition of “friend” as far as I am concerned, and the Lord blessed me richly when Mr. Lutke sat me next to you in the clarinet section of Biola Band in 1978…………..831143 Cam
You certainly ARE the very definition of a “friend†–
Fun (beyond measure)
Rich in wisdom
Intelligent
Exuberant
Never negative (oops that’s a double negative for…you are a POSITIVE PERSON!)
Devoted