Tonight as I read through my Facebook posts and looked at the names on my ‘messenger’ list I just felt compelled to write this down. It isn’t a testimony to anything great about me for sure. It’s just a reflection of how blessed I am to be able to say this. I hope you are also able to say this about YOUR life and YOUR friends.
I have so many friends. Some might be called acquaintances as I know them more casually than others I’ve known for many years or for a short time and know well. I love having friends, meeting people, developing relationships and growing from those experiences. As I thought about the events of the past few days I kept closing my eyes and ‘seeing’ this great parade of faces that make up my circle of friends…and thanking God that each and every one is part of my life and I am part of his or her life.
I have female friends and male friends. I have gay, straight, lesbian and transgender friends. I have friends that are White, Black, Asian, Indian, African and mixtures of all these races. I have Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Moslem, Buddhist, Atheist, Agnostic and ‘Not Sure what they Are’ friends. I have friends from too many countries to name in this blog…but to name just a few…US and Canada of course..Mexico, Panama, Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Jamaica, UK, France, Germany, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Egypt, Algeria, Kenya, South Africa, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Greece, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Japan, South Korea, China, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Hungary, Australia, New Zealand..ok…I know I’m missing some and so please don’t be upset if I missed your country..we’re still friends. :-).
I have Republican, Democrat, Libertarian and Independent friends.
I have Northern and Southern and Eastern and Mid Western and West Coast friends. Friends from almost every State in the US of A.
I have single, married, remarried, engaged, divorced, separated and widowed friends.
I have employed, unemployed and retired friends.
I have friends who come from stable homes and others who come from dysfunctional homes.
I have rich and middle class and poor friends.
I have friends in great health and others suffering from cancer, Parkinsons, dementia, and many other horrid diseases.
I have Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard and civilian friends.
I have friends who range in age from teens to those in their 90’s.
For every category listed above and one’s I am missing I can put a REAL PERSON’S name beside each one..many people in some cases. I can remember experiences we’ve shared. I can remember shared hugs and laughter and tears and sorrow and conversations.
This world is AMAZING! PEOPLE ARE AMAZING! When we read about those who are full of hate and greed and cruelty it’s hard sometimes to remember that so many others are not that way. I have a great kaleidoscope of people who make up my circle of friends and how blessed I am to learn from and be loved by each and every one. As I ‘look back and forth’ I get excited to not just remember, but anticipate what is in store in my future and who will be added to this long list of amazing human beings I call FRIENDS.
lookingbackandforth 
😍👌…another gen, hon. A treasure for sure… and an awesome chapter in that forthcoming book. Outline by Thanksgiving 💥👏😏😜
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😍 lovely!?
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Thank you sweet Claudia. You are one of my special friends and I miss you.
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I love reading your blog!!! You are a gifted writer….because you write from your heart, and your heart in my life is one of my richest blessings!!!!
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Thank you my sweet friend. Can’t wait to hang out.
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I am honored to be included in your family of friends. I love you!
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Thank you for another POSITIVE blog post, my always positive friend! Love from your married/Army/Iowa friend!
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