Maderville

Lifers...

There are people in your life that you know will always be there...no matter the distance, no matter the time, no matter the effort....they will always be in your life. Julie is one of those people and I couldn't be happier for her. This is her time to shine and she is radiant. I have several 'lifers' in my life. One from college, one from an airplane(it's a long, great story), a few from high school, one because of an ex-husband -go figure!!, several because we live in the same neighborhood and we spend some great times together and many others along the way...you know who you are. I have mentioned several times how much my friends mean to me and this weekend I was able to see several of my really good friends. Having them here with me sharing in on the joy of another was just one of those 'moments' I talk about. It is a powerful thing to know that people are in your lives to love you and support you because they want to. True friends make you better people and if you do your job in the relationship, you make someone else better too. I never miss an opportunity to tell my friends that I love them...so to all of you that I consider my friends...and family...I love you!

This picture makes me smile because it says so many things to me. It paints a picture of how far two people have come in crisis and strife and how greatly blessed we both are....with and without our children. Julie saved me in the first few days after Sophie died because she was one of two people I knew that could tell me they knew how I felt and she truly did. She was the first one at the hospital...bearing breakfast for Mike to boot....and she just knew what to do and what to say. She is the only other person that ever held Sophie besides me and Mike. Unfortunately, she knew from her own experiences but she used that painful past to save me. Painfully, selflessly, lovingly and strong..she saved me. Thank you, my friend...thank you.

Now, we celebrate.