I was driving down to Papillion to visit my friend, her toddler, and her two-week-old. I had just had a fun photo shoot with a client who’s letting me borrow her camera, suggesting—insisting, actually—that I use it at my sister’s wedding. Then I’d gone to Target and picked out a gift for 7-year-old Elijah’s birthday, which I’d be celebrating that night, and also a pair of clearance earrings for myself, as the nice thing I did for myself that day (that’s right, I think we should do something nice for ourselves every day).
It hit me very suddenly, bringing a bolt of laughter and a wave of tears: “I am the luckiest girl in the world.”
I was thinking about all the love in my life. Friends. Really good friends. When I was a kid, all I wanted in the world was a best friend. Now I have … more dear, dear friends than I can count. And I just can’t even believe it. I’m so lucky! Each of those friendships is nuanced. I relate to each person in a special way. It’s different than what I used to imagine, which was that one person would be my everything, meet my every need. (See codependent.) But this is how it’s meant to be: meaningful relationships that help you learn and grow and experience love in unique ways.
Another reason I felt so stinkin’ lucky was that I get to be around kids on a regular basis. They are such a gift, and I have so much to learn from them. And I know some really cool parents who let me hang out with them and their little ones.
AND I have a flexible schedule that allows me to feel free. Freedom! I can make time during a weekday to catch up with friends. Freelancing has allowed me to get back in touch with a part of myself that I love. I have freedom, energy, and generosity to be a good friend. And, you know, I can be a pretty damn good friend. No—I GET to be a damn good friend. Is it ok if I think that’s part of my vocation?
Now, it is true that I have felt some stress from time to time with “too many balls in the air” (balls = projects; air = a given time period) and also from seasons of, shall we say, wealth deficiency. But I wrote this down the other day: “I am broke, but I am happy. I love my life!”
Jotting these thoughts down, I am once again filled with gratitude. I shout out, “Thanks for this awesome life I get to live!!!”
Thanks for reading.
One response to “Lucky”
lucky….whoever has a friend in you is lucky! i started crying yesterday in the middle of a thought when i remembered you'd be around for a day i thought would be hard. and it ended up not being such a hard day after all. the acceptance, the laughter, the not having to do or be anything other than me, the comfort of how well you know me, the simple acts of kindness — you brought all those things with just your presence. thanks for sharing your vocation of friendship with me. it makes all the difference. love you!