All of that changed yesterday when I ventured out to my Mindful Meditation group in the afternoon and out to a dear friends for dinner to visit with another friend from Australia I hadn't seen in years.
I'm exhausted, but what a great day, truly worth it. Other's kindness always touches me. Our friend Sandy cooked such a beautiful meal so we could all have a nice visit.
I think we all have those people in our lives who just show up. They are there no matter what and we are there in their lives. They are the real friends who pull together to build a shield of warm around each other when either of us are in need.
The foundation of knowing somebody for a really long time helps in these situations. The conversation isn't always about the problem at hand but a knowing glance or an offhand comment or a joke that let's me know that these people have my back, and in my case I mean that literally.
The same group of people were around me thirteen years ago when I went through the first spinal surgery and all it's aftermath. They know, and I know how bad it really can be, yet we are both optimistic that in those thirteen years I have learned what works for me and how to make those in the health profession work to my advantage. I'm older now and won't be taken so completely off guard and I won't have to young children at home scared, and missing their mother.
These woman were the village around me and my young family. The people who stepped in to care for the girls, bring meals, and show their love. How can you ever thank people for that kind of support? I'm not sure, but I do know without a doubt that I was right there for them when their crisis arrived. Lets face it, we all have one. It is just a matter of when and what kind.
It does take a village and I just hope that they know how much I love them and how much their support propelled me, motivated me and kept me moving forward. Thank God for good friends.