Friendship

We are so fortunate these days, technology has enabled our society to go across the world with our fingertips.  Since social networks have been created, we have been able to stay in contact with those we love, and find the friends in our pasts.

I have found some dear friends who were a part of my childhood whom I had lost touch with.  I had the pleasure to seeing two of them yesterday.  Seeing them again brought back so many good memories, and sure made me smile.  I had thought about them frequently over the years and always wondered how they were doing.  It's amazing to see how happy they are, and how they have grown up.

This brings me to the realization how precious friendships are.  Friends come and go, but it's always the good friends that make an impact on one's life, no matter how little they realize they're doing it.  As I look back and remember these friends of mine, I always remember their smiles and laughter.  My memory is terrible, therefore I don't remember much of what we did exactly.  But I do remember how they made me feel, and remember their loyalty. 

Good friendship is hard to come by, but reunited friendship is just as valuable.  As I continue to find these dear friends of mine, I will cherish them now more than I ever had before.  I'm not quite so great at staying in touch, I get so wrapped up in my full plate of events that I sometimes forget to take 5 minutes to say hello.  I'm trying to work on this, and hope to get better at it! 

Happy Birthday Grandma

My grandma, Jeanne Comfort Wilkinson Priebe was born 89 years ago today.  She lived a long and steadfast life.  When she was young, her grandfather, Harry Griffith, wrote letters to her for her birthdays.  I find it fitting to share one of them with you today.  It is dated February 3, 1939, Grandma's 17th birthday.

"My Dear Jeanne,

Another year has rolled along to bring to you another Birthday.  I am going to give you two little bits of wisdom which may help you on the way.  The first is from the old Greek Philosopher, Pythaganos.  'Above all, reverence thyself.'  The other I did not note author.  'The soul of all culture is the culture of the soul.'  In the first 'Reverence' means particularly to honor thyself.  It does not mean for one to become an egoist, but do so live that you may honor yourself.  And that is where the other comes in.  The important thing is the culture of the soul.  Your soul is the real you, and that must be right if you are to truly honor and reverence yourself.

There is my 'seminar' on this occasion.  The new year comes to you, make the most of it.

May you have a very large portion of happiness throughout the year.

With a great deal of love,

Grandfather''

Grandma held a great deal of pride in her letters from her Grandfather, in fact, his letters were her prized possession.   This letter proves the individual strength we carry in our family, in ourselves.  Grandma passed these words of wisdom in her teachings as she raised my mom and my uncles, as well as me.  She always told me, even near to her last day, "Angela, the only thing nobody can take from you is your soul."  Now I know exactly what she meant by that.

My dear grandma passed on January 6th, last month.  I miss her very much, I love her, and I appreciate the long life I got to have with her.  I am dedicated to pass these wise words from the generations before me to the next generations after me.  I am determined to carry her legacy with pride and most of all, with honor and reverence.

Once Upon A Time

Today is the eve of a very important anniversary that marks the end and beginning of a chapter in my life.  I recall how things were one year ago today.  I was preparing to end a chapter that only brought sadness.  I was facing the next day with some fear, I was anticipating that things were not going to go as planned, I faced a blank future.  I had no idea what was going to happen, I just knew I was going to get out.

I remember who I was a year ago.  I was unsure of myself, I had no self-esteem,, I wasn't even confident in myself.  I was completely dependent on someone who only disappointed me.  I had zero control over my own life.  The only time I felt sure of anything was when I was at work.  I feared the smallest things, even feared having a $5 bill in my pocket.  Happy moments were rare.  I sacrificed my friends for my relationship.

So who am I today?  I am free to be me.  I am confident, and rely only on myself.  I have changed careers, I have a future ahead of me.  I am told I am beautiful every day.  I am loved unconditionally.  I have my mom back.  My boys are happy.  Bills are getting paid.  Overall, I am completely the opposite of the person I was a year ago.  I found myself again. 

Life is good today.  I am in control again.  And damn...it feels GOOD!