Friends

Dear Readers.

Let me tell you what I don't have today. I don't have photos. I don't have Turtle tales or updates. I don't have restaurant or book recommendations. I don't have a workout update. (Although I did do that Level 3 of the PowerSculpt and thought it was fab, but we'll discuss that at another time. Seeing as how I already said I didn't have an update).

What I do have is one of those annoying "musings." You know, the ones where the writer feels that he or she has something critical to say and proceeds to blurt it out in self-important prose. Well, what the hell, says I. This is my blog. I get to have my moments.

And don't worry. Survive this, and I promise you Turtle cuteness out the wazoo by Monday.

So. Friends.

(Legal Disclaimer: the term "Friends" shall include family members, spouses, life partners, furbabies, people you've known since the first grade bus stop, people you met more recently, etc and et al).

Friends hold you together when you are on the verge of falling apart. They pick up your pieces and keep them safe until you're ready to put them back together. They give you a shoulder to lean on and a hand to hold.

Friends stick by you when you are at your worst, and are proud to be by your side when you are at your best. They want you to succeed, excel. Your happiness brings them joy; your sadness brings them pain. Friends are not jealous, nor do they wish the worst for you. That's not what friendship is about.

Friends know when it is time to talk and when it is time to listen. They know when a huge hug (or a bowl of ice cream. or a margarita) is better than any words.

Friends can tell you the truth, whether you want to hear it or not. They will also listen to the truth from you. They will make mistakes and mess up from time to time, but that doesn't mean they love you or care about you less. After all, you're going to mess up, too. And they'll take you back, just like you'll take them back.

They brighten your day when you need it. Smack you back into shape when you need it. They are your reality checks and your validation stations all at once.

Amazing, isn't it?

So, a sincere thank you to my friends. I am better for knowing you, and am grateful for what you have added to my life. I only hope I have done the same for you.

(See? You made it. Prepare to have your wazoo filled come Monday!)