Tag: friends

A Relief

I am grateful

This afternoon I had lunch with a friend who I now know is as genuine as I ever believed she was.  I feel such a sense of relief, like some type of weight has been lifted off my shoulders that I hadn’t even realized was there.  She’s still as beautiful inside and out as she ever, maybe even more.  The experience of life adds a dimension to beauty that can only be granted to those who walk the earth decade after decade.

We’ve known each other and been friends for over 34 years now and I am grateful in the depth of my soul that she is who I believed her to be.  I almost feel giddy!  She is another real soul, a woman journeying through life, learning, growing and becoming all she can become each day.

I am so grateful, did I say that already?

Now I remember

…share my truth…

I’ve got to be honest;  for the last few days I’ve completely lost sight of why I started this blog.  I sat last night staring at the screen feeling empty, incomplete and purposeless.  Then today, a few moments ago I remembered.

I’m here because I’ve been on one hell of a journey to be able to be comfortable in my own skin, to think my own thoughts, to share my own truth, to say what I want to say, to be true to myself.  This journey needs to be told, because if it helps one, only one person on the entire planet, then all the heartache, blood, sweat and tears will be worth it.

Very shortly, I’m going to eat lunch with a friend.  15 years ago, I would have told you she was one of my dearest and closest friends.

We went on an annual shopping trip and on our 40th birthday’s (which are 28 days apart) we went to Manhattan.  We stayed in the Roosevelt Hotel and had the greatest time!  We went to a Broadway play, rode the Staten Island ferry, met and chatted with several policemen who were gregarious and full of life, rode the subway to the Bronx and saw the old Yankee stadium before it was torn down.  While on the subway a group of 3 people about 25ish in age, started singing impromptu – they were fantastic and the experience was spellbinding!  We walked everywhere, shopped, went to Macy’s, Tiffany’s and was great vacation!

For now, fast forward through details, my divorce, my move away from my sons for 2 years which coincided with my immersion in a bottle or two or 100 of tequila.  Those facts along with our professed Christianity and I was left the scapegoat, the black sheep, the bad guy, whatever.  (Sidebar, I believe Jesus died and rose for me, and I believe my Father in heaven loves me unconditionally.  At the same time, I cuss like a sailor at times, and am a very real imperfect woman.)

Fast forward again to today.  I’ve been back for just about 10 years, and I’ve run into this friend and we’d say hi, and exchange pleasantries.  I learned very quickly that most people who I ran into after my 2 year absence would be so “happy” to see me and that I was back “let’s do lunch” did not mean what they were saying at all.

To be honest, I never knew where I stood with this particular friend.  She seemed genuine enough, but was always too busy for lunch etc., that is until this past week.  We set a lunch date today in about 35 minutes via messages on Facebook.  I believe she too is looking for some authenticity, that the game of pretend has made her weary as well.  At least that is my hope.  I could be completely wrong.  Either way, I know today will answer many questions.

So, for now, I’m off to lunch and may honest, authentic conversation reign.

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