November 7 - Friends

There are many people that come into our lives and they remain their by our side. I have been blessed to have some of the finest individuals in my life that I can call friend. I have my family which are also my friends; I have previous co-workers that I maintain contact with and call my friend; I have my church friends; I have my school friends.

I don't let many people into my life as I prefer to be private but the ones that stick around and knock down those walls I build around my heart well they are my friends near to my heart. Let me say this in my defense I have had people who I let in and then really turned around and said nasty things about me. One in particular stands out that she was willing to say that I did elderly abuse to my parents etc. I dont know why JB would say this but I do know this but although I forgive her; it is because of events like this that I have a three strikes your out rule. Harsh I know but another blog for another day.

So I want to focus on three individuals that I am incredibly grateful for today on Day 7; but please note that there oh so many others I could write about it would be a long post.

CPN - I don't quite recall how or where we met. I do know it was at Robert C Cawthon elementary. We were inseparable at times while growing up. She probably knows and remember more about me and my childhood. We would ride our bikes all over Cypress, have sleep overs every weekend and play monopoly marathons. We are still friends but have gone our separate ways. However, I know that if I needed anything I could call her and she would be at my side without a question or hesitation. I learned that really quick a couple of times in my adult life; once when there was drama at my house and she and her fiancee at the time now husband came to my rescue; then when she came to my dad's funeral for some odd reason I didn't think she would come and I so wanted her there and she was. I hope she knows and feels the same way that I would do my best to there for her when she needs me. After all she is my twin blond sister. She really helped me have a great childhood and I can't imagine anyone else that could have made it any better.

EJBA - She was a person I met before I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She worked the customer service department and I was hardware dept. She would always tell me she was going dancing and I always wanted to go but I hung out with the cool crowd so she never invited me. I was so sad when I learned she had quit. A few months later she showed up as a stake missionary to teach me the discussions. She also finally took me to a lot of dances with her. We did so many fun crazy things as YSA's; so many adventures in Lambda Delta Sigma. EJBA also introduced me to her family and they took me in and showed me so much. I love her family so much they all have touched my life in one way at one time or another. While she now lives in TX and has her family (actually almost all of her family lives in TX) I still keep in contact.

PJL - This lady helped me through some of the darkest times of my adult life - the passing of my mom and later my dad. She snapped me out of my dark pitty party and made me realize life was not bad. She also taught me a lot about living with another person and doing things for each other. We did some crazy road trips on a last minute or well planned and then realizing the cars were just too loaded with stuff and had to repack everything. She also has taught me a lot about being thoughtful kind and generous. This past September she gathered the OC Cypress Stake ladies in our group for a weekend of fun in UT. It was a really great time. Everytime I see her I realize how much I truly miss her and how grateful I am for her friendship.
So as you can see these are some of the finest ladies on this Earth. They  have all been there for me when I needed them most and have been an important part in my life. I am grateful for each one of them and the friendship and love they have extended to me. I only hope that I have been as good of a friend to them as they have to me.