Friends = chosen family

I've been blessed with many friends in my life!  I wanted to share a few of my close ones with you.  I am part of a "rectangle gang" and those of you that know where I live, you'll know why!  We all live around a "rectangle" area of grass and we all LOVE being outside with each other and have really become close to each other!  We've had UPS and DOWNS and everything in between!  We recently lost a member of the gang to pancreatic cancer.  He was a miracle no matter how you look at his life!  He joined the LDS Church during his bout with cancer and he left this earth with a very strong testimony!  We miss him and his talks with all his "women!"

I had the opportunity to help my friend as she went through the funeral of her husband!  It was amazing to see the support she has.  It was even more amazing to hear "oh, you're part of the gang!" or "you're one of the awesome neighbors."  I hope that I always make my friends proud of me!  I always want to help when I can and that's my natural instinct....to HELP!  Can't tell me no, can't tell me that I'm too busy....I'm never too busy to help my family and friends!

Although we have our trials, I'm grateful for dear friends!  Many who live right by me and others who live elsewhere.  I'm grateful for all of them!  I won't even begin to list all my friends, because they know who they are! 

I had a chance to serve one of my friends this morning!  She's not feeling good today and has been a nurse to one of her kids ALL WEEK!!  Now, she got the sickness and is still taking care of the sick kid!  All while trying to keep the younger ones occupied, happy and fed!  I hated that part of being a mommy!  I hated knowing that I still had to nurse a baby while I felt like crap!  That's a HARD feeling to push away!  Anyway, her cute husband answered the door today very quietly and I don't think he was too surprised when I handed him a bag - one for my friend, one for the sick kid, and one for the other "healthy" kid that we hope doesn't get sick!!  I told him to let me know if I can take the healthy kid to give him some space!

I love that I know enough about my friends to help them when they are down or sick!  I love that I personally know what helps them to feel good!  That's a good thing!  I love that my friends become my CHOSEN FAMILY!  They are always there to help whenever needed.  They are there to lift me up and to cry with me and to deal with life.  They are amazing....so....to all of you....thank you for being my CHOSEN FAMILY....Friends for LIFE!