“God gives you your family, thank God for your friends”
When this phrase was first spoken to a family member by her father-in-law many years ago, I think it was meant more tongue-in-cheek at that moment but this statement has become a great truth in my life and that of my immediate family.
Emigrating from Scotland to make a life in the United States meant leaving close family far behind. When we moved here it was before cell phones, social media and all the technology available to us now. The best we had then was good ole AT&T long distance calling. It was our lifeline to our parents, siblings, aunts and uncles.
As we all know, life has a way of throwing things at us which can knock us down or unhinge us. As the years went by and our circle of friends became family to us, it was all of those loving, accepting, kind, nurturing people who became our family. As one friend remarked to another during a family celebration in which we were surrounded by all of these close friends, “Linda’s friends ARE her family”.
Like any family, we have our good times and bad, agreements and disagreements, joys and sorrows. What I know for sure is that when I have a need, these friends jump right in, often without being asked, to encourage, support, advise, direct, admonish, sit with, cry with, cheer with and accompany through life’s journey.
At this point in life, they have seen us through everything from birth to death and everything in between. Talk about feeling blessed!
I thank God every day for these treasured Friends who are my family. I pray for them, as I know they pray for me. Knowing I can turn to them for anything – to share a laugh or triumph, discuss a problem or sorrow, or reach out for help and encouragement – gives me a deep sense of affirmation. Their love and support demonstrate God’s love alive and well in my daily life.
Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one.
C S Lewis
Who are the people in your life who have become family and when did they show up to support or encourage you?
The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life
Richard Bach
Peace and blessings,
Linda