Friendship

It feels like only a few days ago that I realized Christmas was a month away. And...now it's gone? I can't even distinguish individual events from that past month: only frames, cut from the film on auto-play. I've had the pleasure of hanging out with friends every weekend and some during the week. Sometimes I forget how fun (not to mention healthy and stimulating) that can be. My friends have really gotten me through a roller coaster of a year. It's easy to forget how important they are, but when you need them, and they come running, it reminds you just how much you need them. And I happen to have the most incredible group of friends that I've picked up over the years.

I have my other half, my go to for everything, without whom I'd not be me. She's mad for me when I can't be, always tells me what she really thinks, is the mother of my beautiful goddaughter, and wife to someone I consider family. I can tell her absolutely anything, no matter how horrid.

There's my ever-optimistic, practical dreamer, who could have the worst day and still come home smiling. She knows how to enjoy life, how to listen, and how to be there for a friend in need.

My melancholy kindred spirit I miss dearly. The most understanding and quiet character, but with a temper that rivals the Furies.

I have another breed of kindred spirit who seems to see me for who I am. He has a relaxed confidence and the enviable quality of not caring what people think, but in a way that isn't egotistical or selfish.

My yearning artist, head in the clouds, feet on the ground. He is always up for a though-provoking discussion and has a whip of a sense of humor. 

There's the quizzical intellect, more determined that anyone I've met, but yet, will drop it all to help a friend in need. He never asks for anything from anyone, but will give without hesitation.

If there ever were still waters that run deep, then she swims them daily. She has more brains and talent than she knows what to do with and is both perceptive and thoughtful. 

I also have a newer friend, growing moreso a friend as the days pass. She is a balance of artistic and grounded, introspective and extroverted, and more importantly is a complete delight to converse with.

And then there are my latest additions, new and still developing, but what a lot they are. Different backgrounds, different goals, but shared interest. These I hope to foster and keep.

I'm lucky to have each one of these people in my life, not to mention all of those who come with them and many more I've encountered. Never before have I felt so welcome amongst groups of people.

I don't know where I'd be without my friends. I can't quite express how much they each mean to me, but I can offer my thanks and hope to be as good a friend to them as they are to me.