Friends in Far Places

When I first moved here, I had four kids (our oldest turned 5 the day the moving truck arrived), one of which was a newborn. The holidays had just ended. I was in a place I had never heard of, let alone seen, before the job offer. I was sad. I was depressed. I was lonely. And I was completely unaware of how much I would grow to love some of the people here.

Do I love it here? No. I wouldn't say I love it here.

Do I want to raise my family here? No. I feel like there is somewhere else we are supposed to do that (I just don't know where yet).

Do I regret moving here? Absolutly not!!! I have made some of the dearest friends I have ever had.

Living so far away from my family that I have to get on an airplane to go see my parents if I don't want to be in the car for three days has taught me a lot. But above all, it has taught me how to make friends and how to rely on those friends.

What inspired this post? Since moving here I have made two dear friend who have had to move. I have made so many friend here and I am thankful for each of them. But the imminant move of my friend has had me thinking about what I have experiened in the last few months.

As soon as I moved in I became the best of friends with Ashley. Right from the get go I could tell that we needed each other. We both needed someone in our lives to just sit and visit with for hours on end without caring what our houses looked like or worrying about what was for dinner. And trust me, that is just what we did. Many afternoons were spent sitting in my livingroom while our kids played in the play room. Then...she moved. I couldn't believe that I would be blessed so quickly with such a friend just to have her leave just as quickly.

So, I cried. I got a little down hearted. And I just kept going, though I was dragging my feet a bit.

During this period of time I started Mommy Day (which I wrote about in an earlier blog post: http://mylife-plana.blogspot.com/2014/06/mommy-day.html ). Ashley had come with me a few times, but I didn't often have a friend join me. I decided to invite a few ladies. Eventually, Tisha and I went out every week. We are soon joined by Megan and sometimes a few other ladies. It's so great to have that support system, as well as a moment away from the kids.

During these outings, I got close to a few of the ladies, Tisha being one. She has kids old enough to babysit so we are able to get together more often. When Z ended up in the ER a couple weeks ago, her family came to get and take care of the other three kids. Tisha became my go to. My "sister away from home" you might say. And now...she's moving. In 9 months I have made and lost 2 close friends.

Am I sad? Of course!

Am I alone now? Of course not! I'm so blessed with more friends. But I am still sad to see this friend go.

I have learned from these two ladies (and so many more that I have crossed paths with in my different moves), that when you are far away from family, it will be okay. There are people that will come in to your life, if you look for them and let them, that will be like family. They will be there at a moments notice if you need them. They will take your kids overnight when you have a family emergency (without you even having to ask). They will bring you dinner when you don't expect it, but need it. They will let you sit on their couch and watch movies for hours with you just so you aren't alone. They will ask for your help because they trust you. They cry with you. They will laugh with you. They will pray for you. They will love you, whether you think you need them or not.

As a teenager my mom always told me that friendds will come and go, but you always have your family.

That is true. I have had many friends come and go in my life. But there are a few friends that no matter how far away they are. No matter how long we are parted, they feel like family. And I think they always will.

How thankful I am to have been put in a situation where I have had to learn that!

So thank you Ashley, and Tisha, and so many other friends that I am thinking of at this moment. I hope you know who you are. Because I will forever love you. I will forever be thankful for the way you have shaped my life. And I hope the next time we meet, it will be with a smile and hug and a new memory to be made.