In Thankfulness for My Girlfriends...

I'm watching my daughter form important friendships. She's 12, and she has a "bestie". They remind me so much of Tracy and me at that age. I want to tell her to cherish her girlfriends...that there will be times in her life when those girls (or women) will be all that get her through, aside from Jesus. When I think back to all the joys and sorrows in my life, it's my girlfriends who are always there. I'm so grateful God placed these amazing women in my life. 

I've been blessed to have had the same best friend since 1975. There have been periods of time when we have fallen apart, but we have always returned to this true friendship...and have managed to pick up as if no time had been lost at all. My other "girls" have been my friends since junior high...most of them since the very first day in Miss Hoffeditz's class. A few women have come into my life as adults...and forming true and lasting friendships as adults is rare for women. We rarely have the time or energy to form new relationships, but the ones we are able to grow are such blessings. 

Through the years, my girls have been with me for every imaginable moment. I can remember excitedly chatting about the first boy I liked, and sobbing about the first boy who broke my heart. Funny thing is, I can remember the story but not the boy...but I'll never forget which friend held my hand through it all. I know who I called when I had my first kiss, my first date, my first "scare", and who went to the pink building with me for the first time... 

I'll never forget being thrilled to have all my 7th grade classes with my best friend, relieved that I wouldn't be alone in my first year of public school. But I also remember meeting the rest of my posse that year, and knowing we'd always be there for each other. We went to our first dances as a pack...there's safety in numbers. We also went to the bathroom as a herd for many, many years. 

I know who held my hair up out of the vomit after I drank too much, who lied to my parents to keep me out of trouble, and who held me accountable when I really screwed up. I also know who I went to the limit for, who I would have protected at any cost.

Life changed dramatically after college...There were good and bad marriages, planned and unplanned babies, achievements and disappointments. (And that was just me!) But through it all, there were women on whom I could rely. My girls were there at my first wedding...most of them were ready to sneak me out the back door to keep me from making that mistake, but they all stood there and supported me as I walked down the aisle. The first people to see my newborn child were my girls. When my marriage crashed down around me, my girls picked me up off the floor, cleaned up the broken glass, and sat with me until the tears wouldn't come anymore. They encouraged me, had slumber parties with me, drank with me and sobered me up. They cared for my children when I couldn't cope, cursed out my ex-husband with me, talked me out of committing any number of felonies, and reminded me of all the beauty in my life. At times when some of us drifted apart, others filled the voids, and I was never without true friendship. God has richly blessed me!

I was the first to turn 40, and that's OK with me. I've had the same friends for over 30 years, and I can't wait to see what the next 30 will bring. Thanks girls!