The me who sometimes lets my unreal expectations of people and situations cloud my ability to offer grace to those closest to me. In short, the most unflattering me but loves me anyway...
There was a time in my life when I thought everyone had these kinds of friends but now I know better. I have talked to far too many women who have been hurt or betrayed by those they thought were their friends and have kind of given up on the whole idea of a true friend.
If you are one of those women, don't give up on our gender yet. There are good women out there they just take some searching out. You are wise to be cautious, just don't let that cautiousness turn into cynicism. I am lucky enough to have been born into a family that gifted me with a sister and a mom who are now among my best friends and if that wasn't enough, I married into or have had marry into my family, two women who also fall into that category.
But looking back beyond them, I have always had one of two women in my life who knew the art of friendship. Who showed me how to love and learn and yes, to forgive...
It can be scary to reveal your true self to someone else. I have been hurt and burned on more than one occasion but I wouldn't trade any of it if it meant giving up what I have gained.
Happy Birthday Shelly. Thank you for all you have brought into my life. Thank you for loving the real me.
xo, Patty
Absolutely lovely :)
ReplyDeleteHow true! Some 'friends' try to manipulate but the true friends accept you for who you really are. Lovely post! xx
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I hope to someday find one of those "true" friends! Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteOh, my little friend, you are so right! Good friends like you have are hard to come by. I've had a few rainy day friends who I really thought were life sticking friends but they're gone now. Cherish your friendships. Love your sweet little graphics too.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
So true... love your post and your gorgeous artwork! Blessing to you.
ReplyDeleteYour post is so cute with the graphics.
ReplyDeleteI know Shelly will love this. You are indeed lucky to have a friend and SIL like that.
ReplyDeleteBut I also want to add she is very lucky to have you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I took dinner to a grieving friend today, and she served me tea using beautiful china tea cups given to her by her mother. Friends through thick and thin. We don't see each other a lot, but we are always there when it counts. I am so blessed, and thankful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. I think you are both so very blessed. Happy Birthday to our Shelly, who doesn't have a blog.....yet. I see she got a new laptop though, so maybe we can convince her!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Patty-That is the best kind of friend- I have a couple of those in my life...and know that I am blessed by that fact. I have also had a couple of betrayals by women "friends"...and those are big hurts, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, too!!!! xo Diana
You are lucky to be surrounded by wonderful women. I have no sisters, lost my mom a few years ago, I work with all men and miss women in my life.
ReplyDeleteA truly lovely and heartfelt post - true friendship is indeed a wonderful blessing.
ReplyDeletexx
Patty,
ReplyDeleteWhat a precious post and tribute to your friend, Shelly!!!
I am fortunate that I have more of those like your Shelly!
But, I have had a couple who where the other. I thank God for both.
Without those who betrayed my friendship, I possibly wouldn't have treasured those who are the truest, best of friends as much as I do!
Fondly,
Pat
Happy Birthday to your friend!! Good friends are so special and especially friends whom you have had for a long period of time. I feel so blessed to have several real good friends and am so grateful for them.
ReplyDeleteI got my "heart art" today and just love it. It is precious. Thanks so much.
Judy
You are fortunate to have such friends and the good sense to let Shelly know how important she is to you.
ReplyDeletePatty, I love your art you're showing lately. It is exactly what I've been studying and pinning on Pinterest. I am trying to learn new ways to create art for possible Etsy offerings. And because my summer injury complicates what I use to do. Your art is very good. You could sell them. I am just starting out and need to let my wings spread and my creativity soar. Thanks for giving me glimpses of yours! You have already learned to spread your wings!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
True friends keep us sane! You are so right Patty, it is important to invest time in friendship. Did you make the collage, because it's awesome!
ReplyDeleteYour post was very thought provoking. I have many friends, but few know the real me. I think that is why I blog. None of my friends is into decorating (except one professional) or crafting. I would love to hold crafting workshops in my husband's studio, but I have no friends who would be interested. I am retiring in June and I hope to do some classes. A woman who is one of my husband's art patrons brought a dozen women to the studio last summer and half of them expressed interest in classes.
ReplyDeleteI have a wonderful sister, but she works 2 weeks out of every month in London so we rarely see one another.
Don't get me wrong, we have wonderful friends and live on an amazing little lane and are very social. I just wish some of them liked to do art.
Sorry for the rant, but when you get me thinking.....
You are a blessed woman Patty, your post brought tears to my eyes thinking of how many times friends & even sisters have been the hurtful kind, but then thanking God for one or two real, loyal, loving friends just like Shelley.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to her & blessing to you :)
Lol Karen
That is a seriously beautiful tribute to friendship Patty! I'm happy you are so blessed. There was a time in my life I was the burned, cautious one but am happy to have found some wonderful women in my life too. Happy Birthday to your lucky friend!
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful post..I wanted to write one recently on this subject of friendship myself..but you nailed it and I couldn't put it into words like you have. I truly know that we all need girl friends...and even if it is just one or two, they are what keep us going...a true gift from God. Thanks for celebrating your friend.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteIt's so true...when we've been hurt or betrayed, a part of us naturally closes off, but we have to move on and 'let in' again.
Thanks for sharing your sweet post.
Ciao Bella
Carmelina
True friends are hard to come by. I'm blessed with a few.
ReplyDeleteYour artwork is beautiful
True friends...PRICELESS!!! So sweet, enjoyed this!
ReplyDeleteYou are truly blessed to have such friends. I, on the other hand, am one of those who do not. I hope that changes one of these days...even at this stage of my life. You encourage me. Thank you.
ReplyDelete