Friends

A most unexpected thing has happened in the last year or so.

I've made some really amazing friends. At work I've got great people who give of themselves on a daily basis. We work with some pretty hard core kids who push us away with one hand and beg for affection and understanding with the other. We put up with verbal abuse and apathy hourly. Most of these people respond with kindness and empathy. We're all a big happy, dysfunctional family.

I've also made fabulous friends outside of work. They, too, work in professions that require lots of kindness, giving and empathy. Working in fields such as that makes it hard to have anything else to give. But they do. All the time.

My new friends know just when to call me on my bullshit and I listen to them. When I need a hand or advice, they give me their honest opinion. They trust that I'm a grown up woman and that when I'm asking for help, I want it straight up. They'll give it to me and it's up to me to move ahead.

I'm too old for "fake" friends and false loyalties. I'm too old to worry about pettiness. I'm also an honest and loyal friend and I'd do just about anything to help a friend help themselves.

I just wanted to take a minute and show my gratitude to the guys and gals who've become so close. I wasn't sure I'd acclimate to our new home, you've all made it much much easier.