31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful: January 31: Friends

Really...where do I even start with this.

I am, without a doubt, the friend-wealthiest person I know.

What I am about to share with you is a mere slice, a small sampling of some of the people I love. It is in no way a full representation; for those who are not pictured here, please know that I am honoring you in my heart (...ok, or we have a picture and it was bad. There, that was brutally honest.).

As I try to write this, I can't really even come close to being able to name all of the people I love so dearly, so completely...the people who make my life good.

I have friends that have been in my heart since childhood...

Friends from college...

and graduate school.

Friends from jobs I've had...

and places I've lived.

I mean, really, how lucky can a girl be?

If ever there was a reason to drop to my knees and thank the Lord for something, 

friends are it. 

My friends feed my heart and soul. As long as I have them, I know I will never go astray. 

There will never, ever be enough words to express my thankfulness for the friendships I have. New friends, old friends, friends near and far, business friends, work friends...I've got it all.

THANK YOU for seeing me all the way through to the end of my 31 Days blog series! Through this journey I have had a chance to reflect on myself and all of the wonderful things I have to give thanks for. Today, on my last day, it is with a joyful heart that I give thanks for all of you, my newest friends, and look forward to the exciting things that are still yet to come!

Today, how will you honor your friends?

"Think where man's glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends."  

-William Butler Yeats

31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful: January 15: Insight

in·sight  

/ˈinˌsīt/Noun

1. The capacity to gain an accurate and deep intuitive understanding of a person or thing.

My dear friend Mike said it best: "Lucy, you read between the lines between the lines."

That was his eloquent way of telling me that I look too deeply into things. He may have a point...but I'd like to consider that one of my finer qualities. I'll even go as far as to say...I'm thankful for it.

I do tend to "read between the lines between the lines", and it has served me well in my friendships. I take in the subtle hints, the barely audible pauses, and listen intently for hidden meaning.

Last night was the perfect example. One of my very best friends in the world was hurting, and she called me. A family member had suffered a medical emergency, and she was not able to come and meet me as we had originally planned. Fortunately, her family member is recovering comfortably and she made it home safe and sound.

When I asked her, "What can I do for you? Do you want me to come over?", her response was: "No (brief millisecond pause), you don't have to come out. I'm tired; I'm going to get something to eat and go to bed."

Here's what I heard:

"No (Yes. I don't want to ask you to drive out here because I think it's far and it's dark, but I am all alone here and I don't really know what to do with myself, so a human face and a hug would work miracles. This situation is new and I'm frightened, but I don't know how to ask for help. Oh, and bring cake.), you don't have to come out. I'm tired; I'm going to get something to eat and go to bed."

Now, I will readily admit that I have been a bad friend to some people...more than I would prefer to count, probably. I've made a ton of mistakes, have taken a LOT of things way too literally, and have had my feelings hurt by thoughts made up in my own head.

I will say this, though: I can't ever think of a time where I had a friend in need where my insight didn't help me to help them. For that, I am thankful.

Do YOU "read between the lines between the lines"? 

Does that help...or hurt?

"Only when inspired to go beyond consciousness by some extraordinary insight does beauty manifest unexpectedly."  -Arthur Erickson