Two years ago today I was sitting in a Fargo cafe with my bestie eating a decadent chocolate torte with tears streaming down our faces.
Don’t let our cheery smiles fool you. We were both absolute wrecks. I was moments away from packing up my minivan and moving 16 hours away.
One year ago, I was in Athens nervously awaiting test results from my mammogram, ultrasound and MRI. I was surrounded by this group of crazy girls (who will perhaps never speak to me again after I make this Christmas picture public).
There is one more member of our Bible study tribe, but she is missing. Clearly she got the memo that she should skip any sessions that include a camera.
Just a few days ago, that same group met at an Athens diner for breakfast. My 41st birthday was May 7th and they surprised me with the female essentials: flowers and chocolate. I opened the card and couldn’t stop the flood of tears from spilling down my cheeks. I still can’t believe how much we have all gone through in the past year and how much stronger and closer we are as a result of life’s trials.
Country superstar Garth Brooks said, “You aren’t wealthy until you have something money can’t buy.”
I am very, very wealthy. And I want you to be wealthy too. So today, I’m urging you to find someone — if you’re a woman, find another woman; if you’re a man, find another man– find someone who needs a friend. Put aside you’re preconceived thoughts about whether that person would want to be your friend or even whether they would make a good friend and just love on them. And then find another person and do it again.
Walk through each day looking for ways to be the kind of friend you want to have.
If you live your life making friends, when you’re shocked by moving vans or poor test results or any other trial, you’ll be more stunned by the people who show up to help you through.
