The Power of Friendship

Some days are more difficult than others. There are days that make it hard to get out of bed, to carry on with normal activities....
putting a smile on your face, planning meals, cleaning house, laundry. Those stiff upper lip days when you know you have to put on the super woman cape and carry on. These days can happen regularly when life gets turned up side down. That is where I fall many a time these days. Carrying on with the "normal" when things are not normal at all. I am not, however, complaining in the least.
I do get out of bed. I walk the dog. I make breakfast, I do the dishes, vacuum the rugs, wash the floors. I smile, I run the errands. I plan the meals, and cook. Laundry gets done. In between all this normalcy are the multiple appointments that come with having a family member who is fighting a serious illness.
Some days are just harder than others. I admire those who can carry on with out thinking of themselves. Those who give until there is nothing else to give, yet dig down deep and give more. I try. I've been called amazing. I find that to be an over statement, but will strive for just a little bit of "amazing". I am glad for the down times, when I can curl up on the couch with a good book. The times in my sewing room, or sitting in the living room with some applique or a small project to hand quilt. The quiet times, the content times. I look forward to the few outside quilting activities I try to get to monthly- they remind me that things can still function on a normal field. Then there are the other days.
This weekend, I was reminded of the power of friendship in such a tangible way. I was reminded of how lucky I am to have a core group of friends I've made through quilting and just life in general. I am also thankful for the smaller sub-groups the make my heart full. Each little group has its own dynamic. Even though we all know each other within the larger whole, these smaller pieces are what keeps me going often times. Again, the power of friendship.
Sunday three dear quiting friends took me out to breakfast, and at the end of our life chats (work, an impending marriage, newly wed news, quilt making and just some plain silliness) a bag appeared. Not just any bag, but a large gift bag holding a most magnificent gift. A signature quilt made by that larger quilting community of women I call friend. A quilt made to comfort, to bring a smile, to warm me on a cold day- literally and figuratively. It was beautiful, and it was most overwhelming.
It was....powerful....
When all is said and done at the end of the day, it is the friendships one makes (and keeps close to their heart) that matter the most. In this regard I am truly blessed. I can be super woman with all this love and support behind me. And on the days I can't muster up that super power, I can just curl up under this and be warmed:





My hope for all of you reading this is that you too have the power of friendship. It is, besides the family, one of life's most important gifts.