Friends Both Near and Far - I Love and Appreciate You

I'm sorry I didn't comment or read anyone's posts yesterday (or respond to any comments left by you on my own post), but as I had thought, it turned into a VERY busy day. I didn't even cook much - just my Wednesday chicken for dinner. But I did set up the laptop and continue working on the database for the Swarovski crystals, which I worked on until I was ready to go to sleep. I did get a lot done, but still have a lot left to do. 

I LOVE my standing Ott light that 
I got for "free" several years ago on 
a holiday sale. I use it a lot. Yesterday's 
computer work would have been 
impossible for me without the extra 
light I got by bringing my lamp in 
from the den into my work area. 

Aearwen and I had a delightful chat yesterday, starting out by laughing at her calendar mix-up from Monday, and progressing to other items - some light-hearted, some less. We always seem to find things to talk about, and have done now for years. It's been a wonderful friendship - my "sister" in California. I hope that sometime we might be able to actually meed face-to-face, but as I grow older, I also realize that may never happen. Does it really matter? No, not really. Our hearts met a long time ago and they touch every time we talk. 

Even though I haven't met a lot of my 
internet friends in person, I still hold 
all of you in my heart. We may never 
actually share a hug, but you're dear 
friends, despite our distance. 

There are other long-time friends I'd love to meet. On the opposite coast is Pippin's Mom (Shirebound) - LOL. Again, we've been friends on-line for more than a decade, but we've never had the chance to actually meet in person. She now lives in New Jersey, and yes, I'll be heading to NYC for my family reunion in August, but ... we're in the middle of trying to get the store shut down, and I can't spend the extra time in the area that I dearly wanted to do. I'm quite unsure if we'll be able to meet up, but my schedule is still slightly fluid. I'm not willing to shut that door of possibility quite yet. 

I'll be going to New York City in August for my family 
reunion, but I can't take the extra week I dearly wanted 
to take, so I can't drive out to meet Shirebound or 
my friend in Pennsylvania, Raven. I'm bummed about 
that, but needs must, and I'm needed back at the shop 
ASAP to keep on track for our closing. 

I don't think face-to-face friends are any more or less valuable that those who can't pop over and meet you for lunch, though. I think my on-line friends are just as real and valuable as those who are only a few miles away. The wonderful thing, however, is that I've met them through the internet, and they've become valued and cherished friends, despite our never having been able to share a hug. 

Every one of my on-line and far distant friends are 
JUST as appreciated as my friends down the street. We 
may never meet in person, but that doesn't change a 
thing. You're still a highly valued friend of mine. 

So today's post is for you - the friends nearby and those afar, those I've met and those I'll probably never meet. You're all valued, you're all loved and you're all cherished in my heart. Have a wonderful Thursday and I'll be back tomorrow. I'm off to the pool. Slava Ukraini.