The Blessings of Friends

I forget just which wise sage is given credit for saying "If you want to count your true worth, count your friends." Let it be known that credit is due elsewhere. Personally, I feel like the richest man in the world.

I have two of the best parents to ever attempt raising a son. Let's just say that a son going through his early twenties and trying to start his own life is not the easiest person to stay connected with. Despite the desires and stresses of seperating and "getting off on one's one" that I have put them through, they have stayed true and still found ways to show their constant love and support.

My sister, Heather, also deserves special notice. I doubt a brother could be loved more by a sister. Even though I'm going through hard life issues and am not willing or able to reach out and speak with her frequently, she still comes through with the much needed pick-me-up note or in the case of this last Monday, an hour and half phone call on her dime.

Then there are Paul, Julie, Barbara, and Angela, the Healing Rooms gang. I came back from our regular Wednsday evening meeting a couple of hours ago. I just have to say, if anyone is near Dallas and needing help or support, be it physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually, give them a call. These people are awesome! It is impossible to remain kicked, downtrodden, and miserable. These things can be overcome, and these are the people to help.

Special thanks also to my long time friend Marcy. Marcy's known me longer than anyone but my family and will not let me get away with ANYTHING ("so long as I don't tell her to stop"). Her first email in reply to my blog contained a paragraph upbrading me for the choice of the phrase "personal failings" in my Hurt, Time, and Grace post. In her own words,
"First, I think that is an extremely well put, very clear expression . . . but second, it is an expression of what I would term a challenge, not a failing. . . . and that points out another of your "challenges" : judgement. ...you are awfully hard on yourself a lot of the time."
Yes folks, I have a tendency to put myself down, and Marcy won't stand for it one second. (Actually, I know a couple of you who won't allow this.) I have to that Marcy is also very mindfull of people's fealings, which is probably why I recieved this as a private email and not a public post on my blog.

Friends, there are many more of you whom I have not addressed directly here. You are each valued and our experiences cherished. When I stop to think about all of you and what I have, I find it incredible that I could possibly have been feeling so down. I am so amazingly blessed.
Thank you