Last week I ran an old column but updated friends’ names in one part of it. I later realized I had done the many, many friends in my personal orbit a disservice by not acknowledging them and the pivotal position they too hold in my life.
I am a lucky person.
I started out with an awesome female support system of women.
My maternal grandmother, my aunt and my mom
And then I was lucky enough years later to be given the best gift of all: a baby sister – who since her birth has filled my life with frivolity and zest.
That is in no way denigrating the roles of the men in my life – beginning with my father, my brother, my two husbands (not at the same time!) and my five grown sons.
Now I have nieces, nephews, grandsons and granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters-in law, brothers-in-law, cousins and extended family. I am blessed.
But today, this column is about the females in my life that I am not related to by blood – an unusually large cache of friends that I can call on for advice, bitching opportunities and constructive feedback.
It started with my next door neighbor Jeanie when I was three years-old and looked up to her as the wisest in the world because she was six months older than me.
When a new lunch place opens, I know who to call for their opinion on just what appetizer to order.
When I am getting too rigid in my thinking, I know who to call to set me straight and tell me to lower my expectations.
When I need to vent about certain family members who are capable of driving me nuts, I know who to call to get a reality check and a reminder that I am once again over personalizing and being way too sensitive.
For advice,
For mentoring,
For guidance,
For playfulness,
For fashion savvy (panty hose vs bare leg?),
For diet secrets (Yasso Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars),
For leg cramps (Hyland Leg Cramps),
For minimizing enlarged facial pores (NYX Pore Filler available at Walgreens),
For removing red ink from a white linen blouse,
For camouflaging dark, under eye circles
(Orogold 34K Wrinkle Solution),
It’s always been, and I hope it will always be, my circle of friends.
When I misplaced my mother-in-law’s recipe for brisket, a friend reminded me of the secret ingredient: a can of Classic Coke.
When I mess up on my new project, a friend will say, “Don’t worry – it happens to the best of us – let’s talk it through.”
Who else but a friend would introduce me to the coolest chick on Instagram? Alethea Crimmins.
Who selects the books I will enjoy and nixes the ones I won’t? (The latter is The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. The former is The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki.
Who comes up with the very best verbiage when I need some encouragement? A friend, who recently emailed me: “Your bright and bold personality is the icing on your never-ending creative cake.”
What’s the next binge-watching series not to be missed? Ask a friend. (I’m now watching all 12 seasons of “The Midwife.”)
Should I or shouldn’t I go gray? A friend will level with you. Mine said, “Absolutely NOT!!!”
Who dares to tell me I need a more high-powered make-up mirror to get control over all those black pesky chin hairs?
And who dares to remind me – once again – to chew with my mouth closed and swallow before talking?
Yep. A friend.
To the friend who always blesses me
To the friend who shops wth and for me
To the friend who keeps me organized
To the many friends who accept I’m a great texter, but a horrible telephoner
I love you all.
The ones who live near
The ones who live far
The ones I connect with daily
Or don’t connect with for months
No matter.
I am in your corner.
You are in my corner.
Whether it’s an earth-shattering or a mundane day, the friends in my life are the backbone of my existence.
They are the people I count on for honesty, integrity, loyalty and engagement.
You know who you are and I simply could not thrive and survive without you.
Here are some of you:
You truly keep me Preserving My Bloom,
