The kids go with their dad this weekend......and I am feeling fortunate to be visiting with some old friends.......today I head out on a mini adventure with a girl I grew up with, she comes to town to see her family a few times a year, and we always try to connect when she rolls in:) It is such a treasure to stay friends with somebody that has known you most of your life......through all the ups and downs......your family history all of it......and these days I am so grateful for the friends I have, the ones that have chosen to walk through the fire with me......support me, love me.......get me, no matter what.......it is a gift to me in every way.....she is one such friend, and I feel like our friendship has deepened even through my journey......I feel like I understand more of what her journey has been about too.......so I am really looking forward to spending some time with her......I am also connecting with that friend that I talked about a few blogs ago......the sober one:), the one I am insanely proud of.......I have some of his mom's things here that I kept for her when she moved, and he is going to see her soon and bring some of them to her......so we planned a visit around that......and it is crazy to think of......again his being my friend for a very long time......since I was a young teen.....knowing me and my history......but missing a big chunk in his addiction.....just popping in at random points and then spinning out again......depending.....and I am hopeful that this time he gets to stay as a friend and his journey only grows and solidifies from here.......the notion of hope is a powerful one.......I truly had given up.......or a large part of me had.......thinking that he may never be able to get out from underneath it all......all signs had pointed in that direction......and then......a miracle.......I feel guilty some that I had given up.....I am normally not in the give up camp but it had seemed so hopeless not all that long ago..........and then.........I also should say in the same spirit that I have never known anybody who tried as much as he tried to get sober......so perhaps the sheer number of attempts and spirit of all of that took hold, and had him meet with some of the success he has now......as I said he has had sobriety before, but not to this level, I feel with this much clarity......it is his journey indeed and for now I will be grateful that I get to experience the sober version of him, and catch up, and have a visit.......when we think of the people we meet along the way.....there are so many varieties......ones that stay forever......ones that pop in briefly but bring huge lessons........ones that stay for a good bit walking alongside of us.....and vanish under strange circumstances.......and you just never know the affect a person will have on your story, or your life......I guess the best rule of thumb is to enjoy the folks we share life with while we are sharing life, and look forward to meeting new people along the way! :) Cheers to the weekend everybody! Enjoy:)
jperuso
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