Tribute to My Friends...

'You're My Best Friend', by Queen, is the ringtone assigned to my friends...so when I hear this, I know for sure that I want to answer the phone!

Who doesn't think of this song when thinking of friends?

And, yes...I am well aware that Friendship Day is in August, but I felt the urge to write this today. I'm thinking that last year's calendar didn't note that special day, otherwise how could I have missed such a great opportunity for a post on my blog? hmmmm.

Being the social creatures that we are, we need to have people around us. Living on my own as I do, sometimes - just sometimes - I get a bit lonely. Not real often, cuz I do like to be 'just me & the dogs'. Course, now, having said that, I must tell you that if you are a middle-aged bachelor - who is looking for a rare and wonderful woman (that'd be me) to share your life with - I am perfectly willing to adapt to sharing my life with a man.

I am social at work...I like everyone I work with (though recognize that there are differing degrees of 'like'). I am close to my sisters and me Mum...and I do have my sons and their families.

However, it is those other special people - my friends - that I felt I needed to honor today. My 'up close and personal' friends, my Christian friends, my blog friends, my collie friends, my internet friends, and my rug hooking friends! Some of you share more than one of those labels...how great is that?? I won't name names, cuz you all know who you are.

It's difficult to explain the bond between two women who have known each other since high school...that is one heck of a lot of living to have been through with each other! Or, how about two women who share a strong bond because of their love for animals (particularly dogs over 40#) - two women who are otherwise so different - and who remain so very special to each other. These are such very special friendships.

I think that these next friendships are among the easiest to make...though the most difficult to explain to others (truth to tell, I don't usually feel the need to). The friendships that are formed because of interests or hobbies or religion or...whatever. Online. Yup, on the world wide web. I feel a special bond with these women. For whatever reason. Some of these women I have met (and we remain friends! ~grin~) Some of these women I talk to on the phone...how fun is that!

On those rare days that I do get lonely, I know that all I need to do is pick up the phone or get on the computer and I will be connected...and no longer lonely.

To my friends...this is what I have to say to you. Thank you...thank you so much...for everything you have given me. For the impact you have made on my life. For caring. For sharing your time and your life with me. For lifting me up in prayer and encouraging me on my walk with Jesus. For reading my 'doodles'.

Thank you to each and every one of you.