True Relationships

Hey Everyone!

So far the sabbatical has been successful although it has taken me two weeks to feel relaxed.
I hadn't realized how wound up I really was until I was challenged to unwind.

Now that I'm becoming more lucid, I've been more aware of the meaningful people in my life.

I know it's always a challenge for someone to know what to do when a friend needs to chill out.

Do you walk alongside them and provide quality time or just leave them alone to fend for themselves?

I'm grateful that my friends have given me the attention or lack of attention I've needed so far.


The other day I was really down and overwhelmed. Tunnel-visioned frustrated.

You've all been there.

At the end of the day I received an email from a dear lady I've known most of my life. The email was a blessing note to tell me how much my writing has meant to her. It was like a soothing balm on an open wound.

I can't tell you how much that meant to me.

It made me analyze who was meaningful in my life and who just...wasn't.

Of course, my family ranks #1 (I'm supposed to say God does but I'm referring to the flesh and blood messy stuff).
I don't know what I'd do without my crew telling me when I'm being ridiculous (most of the time)or that they love me even if I do then to fall down a lot.

Then there are those friends who, over time, have shown themselves to be loyal,bossy, supportive and truth-telling even if I don't ask for their advice.

I've also noticed that those who are dearest in my life have been around for at least five years. Some have been present for well over ten years and some waaay longer.

If they'd been in the military most of them would have been able to retire with a great pension by now.

Some of them would have many purple hearts and a few would have at least five stars on their uniforms.

And I want to be a friend right back to them. I want the purple hearts even if I don't have a uniform to display them.

So as I rest and recuperate, here's a shout out to my dearest dear friends.

You know who you are.

Sabbatical

I have to admit it, folks. I've been having a tough 2012 so far. Not that any one thing has been tough; it's the accumulation of many things that got to me. In January I was told that my supporting church would no longer be supportive. That meant I had to go out on my own for the first time since earning my counseling license in 2001. That meant detail after detail and assuming responsibility for my business choices. You wouldn't BELIEVE how much goes into moving a business! Address changes, paperwork changes, letters, notifications, not to mention finding a suitable office you can afford. While that was going on my dear daughter announced she had purchased a plane ticket to move out to LA permanently and was leaving in late February. That was tough. On top of that, she was in a community theater presentation of 'Steel Magnolias' and was the character that dies in the end. Imagine my emotional state having my child die three nights a week and 2 matinees. I was a wreck. Then dear son-in-law moved out to LA to meet up with his missus. I felt a double loss. There were also a few work crises I had to deal with (I don't care if my grammatical usage is incorrect- more than one crisis is one too many). Thankfully, I had planned my sabbatical last Fall and knew I was taking the month of May off from work. Several times I didn't think I was going to last that long. So here I am, trying to learn how to relax. I've got a few adventures in mind plus some personal goals to tend to. Think of me as I allow my ears to stop ringing and learn how to speak in complete sentences again. Frankly, I'm overwhelmed at the prospect of having these days roll out in front of me with not much to do. Just wait 'till June...you won't know what hit you.