Approaching the Finish Line - Friends Near and Far

I'm almost at the Finish Line of Hell Week. Chickie returns to work on Wednesday, and I'll finally have a "day off" again. I'll be happy to strip the bed linens and get them into the wash. I was able to do a washload of my clothes, and one of DH's, but was never able to do the linens. Add in the fact that it's been really hot, and we've got linens that I could probably describe as "skanky". Ick! Wednesday's laundry day can't get here soon enough. 

I was looking through birthday cakes, and came 
across this one, that I simply LOVE. I would 
adore a cake like this - lots of fruit, and bright 
colors. So, I'm gifting you this cake, Sharon! 

Yesterday was my BFF Sharon's birthday, and we did exchange tests. I send her a card, and because I just hadn't found the perfect gift for her, I broke down and gave her something more mundane - a gift card for Amazon. It might not be exciting, but it at least will be functional. Sharon is two months younger than I am. She was part of my High School gang - a group of about 8-10 of us who hung together. Of course, in those days, there was safety in numbers. I suspect it's not really too different now. With others around you, you're less apt to be called out or pounced on. Although my group fell apart shortly after graduation, Sharon and I have remained fast friends - sisters from different mothers - for decades now. I simply can't imagine my life without her in my corner. I hope all of you have one friend like that - the ones who are always there for you. 

There's nothing like a life-long Best Friend. Sharon and I 
have been best friends since around 1970 - that's a LONG 
time in anyone's eyes. We've grown older (and better) 
together, and I love that she comes up every year for a 
few days to share the State Fair with me. 

I've been fortunate in my friends. I don't have a lot of them, but those I do have are fabulous. On-line, I have a few that I also consider dear friends, although we've never met. I have Shirebound on the East Coast, Aearwen on the West Coast, and Curious Wombat on the Isle of Man.  There's Kaishin in Idaho, and Tinnean in her new state, but previously from Florida. This list is NOT inclusive - I know I have other dear friends from around the world on-line with me here, but I'm running out of space and time. 

I have Chickie in my home area, and ChickieMama. I'm very fortunate with those two  and consider them close and dear friends. Although I've tried several times to strike up friendships with on-line people in my own area, those have never seemed to stick for long. I do have other dear, long-time internet friends and acquaintances, who are also some of my my Best Buddies - the ones I could call upon in an emergency and who, I hope, would call on me if they needed help or support. 

A friend is always there for you, just as you're always there 
for them. Physical nearness isn't as important these days as 
being able to reach out blindly, knowing you'll be caught 
and held virtually, if not in person. I've been fortunate and 
have on-line friends I've had for decades now. I'm lucky 
in friends. 

It's different these days - in a good way. We don't need to physically bump into one another at school or the grocery store or the local place of worship. We expand our reach over broad spaces and link up with people around the world. People who share common interests, friends of friends who then become friends in their own right, and people who are uniquely themselves - exactly what I love about them. I feel completely blessed by all of my friends - near or far, old or young, casual or heart-bound. You're all very special to me - enriching my life and my years on this earth. I hope you know how much you mean to me, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to tell you, and to thank you. Thank you for being my friend. 

Thank you, each of you, for being my friend. I'm a stronger 
and (hopefully) kinder person because of your friendship. 

On that note, I'm out of here. I still have two days at the shop before Chickie returns, so it will be two more days of trying to stay out of DH's way. *sigh* Have a wonderful Monday and I'll be back tomorrow. Slava Ukraini.