I love the holidays. Even though it is a very hectic, crazy time of year, I love the lights, get-togethers with friends, anticipation of a New Year. All this energizes and excites me. Receiving cards from long-time friends, trying to find/make special gifts for friends and family, Christmas Trees, Silent Nights … to me it is wonderous time of year.

To some of my girlfriends it isn’t. One of my girlfriends is having a really rough time. Her husband just lost his job, and in his 60’s, they weren’t ready to retire. It puts so much strain on her. You can tell it by her eyes, her attitude, her whole composure. Another girlfriend (from college) dropped me a change of address card – because she and her husband are separated. And yet another college girlfriend and her husband are living apart this Christmas and unsure of what 2008 will bring them. Some girlfriends are dealing with cancer, chemo, not feeling their happy, wonderful selves.

I feel for my girlfriends. For the stress that the holidays can bring combined with the uncertainty and, possibly fear, that 2008 won’t be so great. I wish I had words and ways to make it all better. I wish I could give them ‘hope.’

Dear Friends who are hurting – please know that you are loved, valued, admired, trusted and beautiful. Your friendship is a gift, and for that I am so thankful. I pray that you do find hope - that you appreciate the things that you do have, that you learn through your experiences and feel stronger for having done so. Even if you can’t feel happy or healthy, I wish for you a peaceful holiday and a 2008 where you find love, laughter, joy and hope. Thank you for blessing me with your friendship.

Do you have a girlfriend you need to care for? We’re here to take care of each other. Reach out and tell them that you love them, that you’re there for them and that you’ll still be there throughout whatever life brings along. Be a friend. Bring hope. Share love. Peace.

Cheesy, I know. But puppies do bring happiness. Meet our new little one (coming this Saturday) – Meet Brando. Named in honor of our Stella. I wish I could give you all puppies!

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 20th, 2007 at 10:56 am and is filed under Be a Better FRIEND, thankful for girlfriends. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.