This week has been a big one full of all the feels. I could not have borne it without my friends. I had one friend who answered the text and made a commitment for a long phone call the next day. I had one friend who answered the call and made a meeting for drinks. I had one friend who took the time to text with me even though she has her own shit sandwich going on. I had another friend text me almost every day to check on me. And another friend who shared her own similar story and let me pour mine out (again). One who immediately said, let’s go walking and set a time. One who said, how are you? And the world stopped until I was done.

“There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend. Jean Jacques Rousseau

And then there is my best friend, my husband, who has been in this crazy adult disaster life of mine from the beginning. Yesterday he took the whole day to just be with me. We took a drive. We took a hike. We had a picnic. We took a nap. We made dinner. And we didn’t talk about anything at all except the weather, our upcoming trips, college memories, and the last time we went hiking with the kids.

“Giving thanks for abundance is greater than the abundance itself.” Rumi

There is nothing so dear to a grown woman as her friends. It can be difficult to cultivate friendships as an adult outside of your kids and their activities. But it is oh so worth it. Cultivating friendship with your spouse also takes effort, but is so necessary for this beautiful life I live with him.

“I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

So thank you friends. You know who you are and what you mean to me. I am so loved and I feel your thoughts and prayers and love all the time. May I be there for you always.

Love y’all,

Marla