Rocks around the world.

Ya know what?  I have amazing friends. From the USA to across the pond I have been blessed with rich friendships.  I look back and think, wow- and to think there have been days when I have felt all alone.  How foolish really.  Those were choices I made- to feel alone- when all along I was surrounded by amazing people who would be there if I simply reached out if I needed something. 

This post is not being written because I am feeling sad.  It is only because I am feeling so blessed.  My best friend in the entire world, Kim- lives miles away.  We haven't talked as much since we have moved from each other- she to Seattle and I to Scotland- but dammit- that girl is my best friend.  I could call her tomorrow and she would get on a plane if I needed her.  Last week she sent me an email reminding me that we don't talk as much and we need to do this more and she has set up our Weekly Friday Review- with an 8 hour time difference we at least have Friday emails to look forward to. Knowing that we will be apart of everything that happened in each others week.  I look back on our friendship and through some of the toughest times we ended up laughing- through all my relationship, work and life woes all the way to the absolute worst year of her life to some of the best days in both of our lives- our tears always ended up in laughter.  Now that my friends is a blessing- you think not?  

Kim's husband, Joe- is one of my other dearest friends.  Yes, if you two follow this blog then you are still welcome for the second introduction so you could fall in love  and have everlasting friendship!  He has been a rock as well- he prob never realizes what a rock he is for me but knowing that he is there as my friend, and Kim's husband gives me great peace of mind. Cause heck- lets be honest you need your best friend to have a supporting husband if she is going to get on a plane and head to Scotland the next day just because her friend, ME,  needs it.  And I know with all my heart Joe wouldn't care how much it cost- If I needed a friend, and I needed Kim- she would be there.  Thats a pretty awesome man in my book.  Not to mention he has been sending me random hellos over the past few months to discuss academic life passions that we both share providing some very stimulating conversations which I so much appreciate and all of his craziness makes me laugh too.  Yesterday I was feeling a bit stressed about a project and an IM pops up and there he is asking if I know random authors, what my PhD is in and that he is going to think about some things to form clear thoughts and we would chat soon.  I don't know what its all about but I look forward to the random thoughts that become clear.  

Obviously I have amazing friends- and I can't name them all- but this post originally started because I was pondering my evening last night.  Here in Scotland with my 2 girlfriends.  We laughed and joked and shared life- the happy times, the sad times and some of the all out crazy times.  Shared some  pudding straight out of the dish with 3 spoons.  Nothing says bonding like that, am I right?  Skipping all of the fake stuff and just diving into real friendship.  It is amazing what happens if you let yourself be real.  I encourage you to be real.  Tell your friends what is going on- the good, the bad, the ugly and of course the God awful embarrassing and uncomfortable stuff too!  And when you get to the sad parts- its ok to cry and then just find something to laugh about.  Today I am grateful for friends and the adventures that they bring- learning about pasts, sharing presents and planning futures.  Knowing that I have "rocks" all over the world is quite comforting. If you don't have a rock- I ask you- are you being real? Are you letting friends in?  Are you allowing people to love on you when you need it?  

Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.
-Bill Cosby