Friends

At 10:00 this morning, 4 women showed up at my door, all with various kinds of food in hand. We proceeded to burrow down in my living room in front of the fire place and didn't move until after 3:00 this afternoon.

My husband's questions is always the same: "What in the hell do you guys talk about for that long?" My reply: "What are you talking about? We could have stayed and talked for another 2 days!"

Do any of you have a group like this? In my 37 years of life I have had friendships, close friendships and acquaintances, as I'm sure you all have, but being part of a group of truly open women who are not trying to be anything they aren't and are just looking for a real connection is a whole different thing.

Women that can come into your house, no matter how dirty it is, and just move your pile of laundry off the end of the couch and have a seat or better yet, just start folding it while they are talking - is something you all should find if you haven't already. They are the type of women that don't judge you by your accomplishments, things your kids do and say or how clean your house is - they are just your friends.

Last year in early spring, it was a wet spring and the vegetable crops were all late getting in - I was frantic. Our group was supposed to meet that day and I had to cancel because there were just too many tomato plants that had to get into the ground. All of a sudden, I look up from my field and here comes 3 of these women all dressed and ready to plant. We moved our group to the field and proceeded to plant 75 tomato plants and 50 pepper plants - talking the entire time and enjoying the sunshine. They never thought twice - that's just what we do.

To truly have a friendship that feels safe is the best thing a woman can have in this life. Add to that a good husband and some great kids and you can count yourself very lucky even in the times when you don't feel so damn lucky. I'm truly blessed, I just need to remember it more often.

Now, keep this in mind the next time I have a post full of 'poor me' or 'my life sucks' and remind me of this will you?