Girls in My Circle

My Girl Pattey sent this ditty to me today...I had to post it here cause it made me smile, it made me cry, it just made me sit and reflect on a friendship of over 19 years. Have we seen each other a lot...No? She's in KY and I'm here in MD but we have talked to each other on the phone almost every Sunday for 10 years and then some in between. We have shared joys, sorrows, tears, laughter, similar family drama and just stuff you can't even write about.

Pattey lost her husband this year after a long battle with cancer and handled his care and passing with the grace of a Saint...and now her son (a soccer and track star) broke both of his legs this past weekend during a soccer match and she talks about it as if its no big thing. We both have crazy sisters and the inside joke (since nothing they do EVER makes any logical sense) is to just say "Noodle" whenever they do something CRAZY/IRRATIONAL which is all the time.

And just when I didn't think my girl could get a break...GOD was RIGHT ON TIME...just like He always is, and she finally gave 2 weeks notice at her job today that we have been talking about ditching for years and is starting a new job/career come October 1st. Can I get a Hallelujah?!!! from the congregation!!!!

We still talk about the time we rode jet skis together in Hilton Head - we smiled and lauged so hard I think a burst a kidney and Pattey's teeth almost popped out of her head; the trip to the Grand Canyon and the helicopter ride back to Vegas - were I swear she was gonna slap me silly for wanting to play with the instrument panel; the NYC trip where we got up at the crack of dawn to try and be on the Today Show and where I acted like a complete tourist on the subway and almost broke some art that looked like a dresser at MOMA. I don't even want to think of the stories we are going to have when we get back from Cancun in November.

Anyway, here's the poem. I hope you enjoy it, just as much as I enjoy my friendship with my girl Pattey.

GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend, and then I started to become a woman. And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up, God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.

Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.

Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities.

Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be. One friend will say, "Let's cry together,"

another, "Let's fight together,"

another, "Let's walk away together."

One friend will meet your spiritual need,

another your shoe fetish,

another your love for movies,

another will be with you in your season of confusion,

another will be your clarifier,

another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life, on whatever the occasion, on whatever the day, or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back, or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself ..

those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many, it's wrapped up in several..

one from 7th grade,

one from high school,

several from the college years,

a couple from old jobs,

on some days your mother,

on some days your neighbor,

on others, your sisters,

and on some days, your daughters

So whether they've been your friend for 20 minutes or 20 years, AND ONLY IF YOU'D LIKE TO, pass this on to the women that God has placed in your life to make a difference.