Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Transcending

Today I am busy preparing a meal for my friends who have recently lost their father and for one that lost her husband. It has been a tough six months for my circle of friends, who we laughingly call ourselves the Clematis Club.

One has lost a mother, another a father, one lost a spouse, another a brother. In six months. Tough times.

But lucky for us we have one another.
We have seen one another through births, deaths, divorce, bad dates, bad jobs, surgeries, illness, to many margarita's, weightloss, weight gain, PMS, menopause and hotflashes and bad hair days....and that is just the beginning.

As I busily prepared the meal ,with the help of other members of our flock for the ones who were left bruised, I had a conversation with my friend, High Mae. High Mae:"I cannot imagine what she must be going through......but that being said, I love our group. How we rally when one is down. How no one needs to say anything of a need, it is just taken care of. I love that."

She's so right. We are truly blessed by one another and our friendships. They are relationships that cannot be explained, only understood.

I sat down to my computer, after not having a moment to read much of my emails last week. I found this email from my mother, who just happens to be another of my best friends. How I love her.
" Leigh, did you see this? Kind of reminds me of your friends. ILU, Mom"

And so I opened it up. And I related. And I cried. And I laughed. And I cried again. It was so reflective of just the last week. And of the many years that I have been blessed by their friendships. And how my heart swells when I think of how fortunate I am to be in the midst of them all. They are my calm (and dance partners) within many of life's rainstorms. How awesome. How truly awesome.
"Life is not about getting through the storms, But rather about learning to dance in the rain."

This is for my girlfriends....those pictured and those not pictured.
And this is for you.....because so many of us (women) can identify with this.

Life is short. Mend fences. Tell your friends and family that you love them. And rejoice. Always rejoice.

And remember, what God leads you to, he will lead you through.

Updated: My deepest condolences to these dear bloggers who have had recent losses. Please lifted up in prayer and add to prayer list, as well as my friends who have recently lost.:
sweet cottage dreams who lost her son.
The McClenahan's who lost their daughter, Cora
My friend, Tammy of Greek Grits shared her "storm".

May we all come together and pray for healing.

Video below.


















17 comments:

Jenny G said...

This was a beautiful post Leigh. You are truly blessed to have this amazing cirlce of women.

Keetha Broyles said...

What a special collection of pictures/memories with your friends. I remember some of them from previous posts - - - but to put them all together like this is really special.

Mari said...

What a blessing to be part of a group like that! I love your beach pictures - especially the one where you are all looking back at the camera and the feet one!

Unknown said...

Leigh-this brought tears to my eyes...
Friends are the circle that emcompasses us...

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Thank you all for your sweet comments. I so appreciate it. I am blessed. My friend, "Abbey Road (on my sidebar-check her out, she's amazing) sent this to me this morning. I had to include:

A Birth Certificate
shows that we were born.
A Death Certificate shows that we died.
Pictures show that we lived!

Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly.

I Believe...
That just because two people argue,
Doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
Doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry
I have the right to be angry,
But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if
We understand that friends change.

I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant
That will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time
To become the person I want to be.

I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with
Loving words. It may be the last
time you see them.

I Believe...
That you can keep going long
after you think you can't.

I Believe...
That we are responsible for what
We do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe....
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe..
That my best friend and I can do anything, or nothing, and have the best time.

I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you When you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had, and what you've learned from them.....and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...
That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,
But we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find
Out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same
Thing and see something totally different.

I Believe...
That your life can be changed in a matter of
Hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe...
That even when you think you have no more to give, if A friend cries out to you........you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I Believe...
That you should send this to all of the people that you believe in. I just did.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything.

Thank you God for all the wonderful people who help us throughout the journey of life..
May angels guard you and guide you.

Beki - TheRustedChain said...

What a beautiful bunch of ladies you are!

Thank you for a lovely post.

butterflygirl said...

What a great post!

Nicolle said...

Leigh, that is such a sweet post. I am sorry for the loss that your friends have suffered recently.

You are SO right, life is short, mend fences, forgive, etc, etc. We forget that sometimes. We forget what is really important in this life.

Take care!

Bama Belle said...

Leigh, so beautiful. THANK YOU for sharing with all of us. We so often get lost in the storm. Lots of Love to you and that would be L O L !
;)

j said...

You are very blessed Leigh! I look forward to talking face to face with you soon!!

Kristin - The Goat said...

I have always wished for a group of friends - but I have been so fortunate to have a special one or two that are with me through thick and thin. Friends are amazing, they truly are. I hope I'm as much a friend to others as they are to me.

Thanks Leigh. Your post was beautiful and I send prayers to them all.

Kristin

Tammy said...

What a wonderful group of friends. And it is so great to have one another for the tough times.

And thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement to me.

Blessings to you and your fabulous group of friends.

Valarie Lea said...

Great post, and great friends. :)

That video always makes me cry.

Polly & Steve said...

With tears rolling down my cheeks I truly am touched and I really needed it today! After a bought with the Flue....I haven't had a chance to read all my blogs, I will catch....This is beautiful! God Bless you for the way things that you say that always make me feel better.
Hugs
Polly

Jessica said...

Those beach pics are great!

Lindsey said...

How very lucky you are to have such a special group of friends!!! I truly believe that friends are the family you choose. Love all the pictures!

Rebekah said...

SO FUN! Girl friends are the BEST! I love your pics at the beach!