Wise Words

"Wait on the Lord, be strong and of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart...wait on the Lord. Psalms 27:14

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Saturday, January 07, 2006

Thank you for being a friend

Admittedly I have been pretty depressed the past several months, no actually more like over the past three years, with the situation of my marriage and even more recently the decision to follow through on getting divorced. I really haven't been myself in a very long time. I used to laugh a lot and really love live and was one of the most outgoing, vivacious people you would ever meet. Of course, being a mother has really curbed me as far as going out, etc., but it shouldn't curb my enthusiasm for life and laughter. I don't know how to explain it adequately. I've just been feeling like I'm a 50 year old spinster in the body of a 32 year old mother. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being with my precious daughter. She is really my life. And I have really enjoyed growing in my relationship with my Savior that this current difficulty has brought me to. But those things aside, I have lost a lot of the sparkle I had at one time.

Well, Mary Catherine - or MC as I usually call her, one of my very best friends in the entire world took me out last night. She is so very busy being a regional manager for a national company and travels constantly. She's home maybe 8-10 days out of the month, or at least that's been her life lately. She and I have known each other for almost 10 years now and have been through thick and thin. I know her better than almost anyone. I know by the tones in her voice if what she is saying is what she really feels. She doesn't know how I do it b/c I've called her on her BS b/c of it before but I know her. She knows me better than anyone too, well almost anyway. She gives me the absolute best advice and, thank God, isn't afraid to tell me the truth. She's smart, funny, absolutely gorgeous and has a wonderfully sharp wit about her. She mentioned one time that if one of us were a man we'd have been married a long time ago b/c we get along so well and it is true. However, since neither one of us is gay and neither one of us is a man...LOL. We just really enjoy each other's company and she brings out the best in me though we are very different in some of our philosophies and beliefs.

Sometimes I feel almost inadequate b/c she is so amazing and then there's...me. I don't have half her intelligence (she's certified MENSA), wit, charm or beauty. Even before she had her gastric bypass surgery and was very heavy she was beautiful inside and out and I felt so lacking next to her. Now that she's svelte and really breathtakingly beautiful, well, all the more for my insecurities. LOL. But she loves my haircut that I got yesterday. Shorter, kicky and sassy. I like it too.

Anyway, she wanted to do something b/c we hadn't seen each other for several weeks so we went out to an Irish pub downtown to listen to a Celtic rock band that I've heard several times and just really enjoy. I'm a HUGE fan of anything Celtic of Irish or Scottish origin. My DREAM vacation is to go to Ireland and Scotland for at least 3 or 4 weeks to just wonder around and go to the little towns and local pubs to listen to music and songs and have some conversation with the people there. I long to go there, but lack of money and vacation time won't allow it. Still, I yearn to go there. Dream of it, think of it, wish for it. SIGH. Maybe someday...but I digress...again.

So we went down there, got a table up front and had some pints of Guinness and listened to some awesome music and I had a real BLAST! For once I was able to go listen to them without having to watch the person I'm with getting bored and ready to go. Matt and I went to see them a couple of times and he couldn't stand being there and thought it was hoaky. But this time, this time I got to just sit back and listen and absorb and dance and clap my hands to the beat with everyone else and yell with everyone else and it was GLORIOUS!

Before the band started MC was telling me this hilarious story about this barely legal kid trying to pick her up in a hotel bar 2 weeks ago in St. Louis. She had me rolling. One of the band members, well a temporary band member b/c their regular drummer had the flu, came over to see what was so funny. He got a big kick out of the story too so during the break our table became the "band break" table. It was really nice to just sit and talk to adults and have fun and laugh again. About half way through the evening MC leaned over and yelled over the music, "I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE BACK! I'VE BEEN MISSING THIS PART OF YOU." I yelled back, "WHICH PART?" To which she replied, "THE FUN PART. THIS IS THE REAL YOU." And I thought about that and realized she was right.

I've been living my life as if it were over and not taking any real time for me. It's all been invested in Emily, which is a great thing b/c we have an unbelievably tight and unbreakable bond, but if I lose sight of who I am, that I too am a bright, intelligent, charming, witty, fun, vivacious woman and have a lot to offer, then what kind of a message am I sending to Emily? That when things go wrong in your life that it's the end and it's ok for you to retreat inside of yourself and just become a shadow of yourself? No.

Like young Bruce Wayne is told in Batman Begins (A completely AWESOME movie) "Why do we fall? So we can pick ourselves back up." With God's help, of course. I'm ready to get back in the world instead of retreating from it. Amazing how the love of a great friend can put things into perspective. MC's friendship is a blessing and I for one am better for it and greatful to have it.

Thank you for being a friend.



14 comments:

V. Shay said...

Hey, I found your blog through No Average Girl's! Good luck with everything, I hope you feel happy again soon <3.

Duke_of_Earle said...

Way to go, Nic! Sounds like a wonderful night out! Do you listen to any country music? Have you heard the song, "She Let Herself Go?" Reminds me of you!

Stay up! You desreve that vacation to Ireland someday.

John

no_average_girl said...

hey girl! we all need true friends who will tell us when we need to straighten up, but will also rejoice and have a good laugh with us! hang on to MC, she sounds like on trooper of a woman! :-)

Bill said...

Nic... "So we can pick ourselves up again" that's so true.

I'm glad you're beginning to see life isn't over, but that, possibly, it really just getting started!

MC sounds like a great friend, the one's who come to you when you really need them, and they already know what you need, are rare finds indeed!!

Here's hoping that this but one of several hundred good times you'll have this year!!

kenju said...

Everyone needs an MC in their life!
It's all about attitude; you can choose to be unhappy and wallow in your troubles - or you can choose to get on with life. Sounds like you are doing that. Good luck.

Michele sent me.

Shelley said...

I am so glad you had a night out. We all need it sometimes!!! And it is wonderful to have the support and love of friends. Remember, "This too, shall pass". You will get through it. Hang in there okay!!! Huggs!

Zephra said...

Good for you! I think it is easier to just lay down and die but it takes a strong woman to pick herself back up and be a woman again.


Thank you for your kind words. They meant a lot to me.

Zephra said...

I feel honored that you left such a long comment to me. I was going to e mail you but I can't seem to find a link to your e mail addy.

Lois Lane said...

I'm glad MC is in your life. And I'm happy she made you see yourself again.
Lois Lane

Jean-Luc Picard said...

It's a great line from 'Batman Begins'. We should all remember it.

Radical One said...

sounds like you're on your back and that's awesome! and yes friends like MC are like angels that are sent, just in our time of deepest need.

i've prayed that you'll have peace, wisdom and joy during your journey!

blessings,
lisa

came to you by way of no average girl

Mike Jones said...

It's a long and winding road, Nic, but with friends like MC, and faith that God will see you through, you'll make it just fine. Better than fine, you'll make in style, with class.

Glad you had a good night out, Celtic music not withstanding! I imagine the Guinness helps it go down a little easier.

;-)

greatwhitebear said...

Celtic music! Guiness! Wow! We have more in common than I ever would have guessed! If you weren't 20 years too young and a Republican, I'D PROPOSE IMMEDIATELY!

ps... quit puttin yourself down about your looks, you can hold a candle to pretty much anybody!

Unknown said...

NIC: A BELATED HAPPY NEW YEAR NOW THAT I'M BACKON LINE! Listen, trust me. "One day at a time". Courage, I'm convinced, comes fromnot knowing exactly what is around thecorner. But with your personality it has to be a better year. And you will be back to feeling like yourself soon enough. lol!