The Summer of Change

My vow to write more has obviously drifted to the wayside! 

No excuses here, just life. 

Compared to last summer, this year has been laid-back.  

We have, however, definitely attended our fair share of birthday parties, baby showers and play dates!

We went on a short family trip to Friday Harbor and camped with the in-laws for a couple nights, but other than that, that's about it.

If I had to pick a theme for my summer, this year would be Change.
So. Much. Change! It is happening all around me...

The change started at the beginning of the season, when I was informed by a friend that we would not be going on our annual family vacation with them anymore, due to their impeding divorce.
This unfortunate event has effected me more than I care to admit.
A friend that I was close to, and was only able to see once or twice a year as it was, is suddenly feeling very distant. Very unexpected!

The change continued when my mother-in-laws father passed away.
We went to his funeral, and gathered with their family for a wake afterwards.

Then I found out that a very dear friend of mine, who I have met through Thirty-One, told me that her and her family would be moving back to their home state of Georgia. Her husband had been trying to get a job there for awhile, and God finally answered their prayers!
While this is great news for them, and I am beyond happy for their family, it breaks my heart to not be able to see her anymore.
The worst part about this change was my fault.
I purposefully did not reach out to say a goodbye in person.
I couldn't handle it. Now I am regretting it.
Live and learn, and don't be selfish.

Shortly after they moved, my mom told me that she would be quitting her job, and moving to Eastern Washington where the rest of my family lives. While I do not see her all that often as it is, it was nice to be able to call her up and meet randomly for coffee, or a meal.

I have also found out that two other people that I talk to regularly, are also moving in the middle of this school year! Apparently everyone's getting the hell out of dodge!

I have been trying all summer long, to come to grips with the fact that I have important people in my life, that I will no longer get to see on a regular basis.
I keep reminding myself that I have so many close friends and family that live far away, that this is nothing new, and that it's all good!

Note to Self: It is NOT all about you.

Change is a good thing...sometimes it's just hard to get through...

The One About the Friends.

friend: noun: a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.

There are so many types of 'friends'! 

You have your best friends, your acquaintances, your work friends, your mom friends, the friends who live far away but are never really gone, the friends you have had forever, the friends who you don't talk to for months but when you see them it doesn't feel like any time has passed at all, the friends whom we have drifted from, and the list goes on and on!

I have friends in each one of the above categories, and I am no doubt in these categories myself. And let me tell you, each and every one of these people are priceless!

I wouldn't trade any of them in for the world. Each and every individual has taught me something. Shown me something. Or has shared something with me along the way.

What exactly does it mean to be a Friend? 

For me, I think that it means: being fun, being a good listener, being able to be yourself, being loyal and forgiving, being encouraging, celebrating triumphs, supporting losses, being truthful, being supportive, being helpful and caring, being attentive and adaptable, being trustworthy, and most importantly...just being!

Regardless of what it may or may not be, we all need meaningful connections, and relationships, with other people.

While I try my best to help encourage, celebrate and support each person, I know that I have plenty of room for improvement in this department. I am nowhere near the perfect friend...but the true friends I do have, know this about me and love me anyways!

Which is kind of what I'm getting at here: Quality over Quantity. 

The people in my life are irreplaceable. They are my chosen Family.

Unanswered Questions

This past week has presented to be quit difficult for a lot of people in my life.

{...deep breath...}

The first of many unfortunate events took place on Monday - my husband's grandpa's passing. We all took this very hard. He was a much loved man, who in many ways, reminded me of my own Papa. He was such a sweetheart. He had a truly kind soul, and a heart filled with love. We are all going to miss him deeply.

 

Then on Thursday I received a call from a very good friend of mine. She informed me that her and her husband had lost their precious twin babies at 20 weeks. The pain that they are feeling is unfathomable to me. I want to help them however I can, but for something like this, there is unfortunately not much I can do. Except for what I have been doing - being a friend, and being there if {and when} they might need me. My heart has broken for them, and the pieces left behind ache for them. 

Then that same night, I found out about two other people I know who had miscarriages that same week. And recently I found out that another friend of mine lost her job last week, and a friend of hers passed away. Not to mention, yet another close friend of mine had her best friends brother pass on. Seriously?

I understand that things happen for a reason, but this many? All at once? Sometimes I feel like these people being associated with me may have a cause in this - silly, I know. But what are the chances of all of these things happening, at the same time, to people that I care for and love? 

 

I for one, am exhausted for watching bad things happen to the best of people. Why do the good people need to suffer? And why with this amount of pain? 

I know that there are no answers for the questions that I have, but the only explanation that I can come up with is this: It is not fair. As childish as that may sound, it is simply the truth. 

 

 ...In time...

Friends.

I have been unusually absent, as of late. So sorry! Gotta love those summer agendas - always on the move. Go, go, go. Busy, busy, busy!

But on the flip side, having absolutely nothing to do with me, I have quit a few friends who are going through some seriously FUN, EXCITING and LIFE CHANGING experiences right now! I am so excited for all of them, and don't see any of them often enough to tell them to their beautiful faces. So I am doing it here. Now... 

Congratulations to all of you who have accomplished all you have ever dreamed. And to those who have become who they wanted, reached their goals and found themselves. For those who are raising families, and starting homes! As much I do not vocalize this, I consider myself honored to know you. And blessed to be able to have you as friends. 

I would be fooling myself if I said I did not envy certain aspects of your lives. Because I do, and I no doubt always will. But this is a good thing! You are all my inspiration. You give me ideas on life, and how to better myself. How to stay positive and see the good. In people, and in life! 

So a million THANK YOU's to all who are my friends. Because without you, I honestly do not know where I would be today.

...MUCH LOVE...