friends...

last nite i had dinner with 3 of my closest friends...my best friend came into town...and this was the first time since our trip to santa barbara back in may that the four of us were together...

the four of us are pretty different from each other...in fact we laughed about it last nite...our differences & quirks...but somehow it has worked for the four of us - our friendship has grown into one that is not taken lightly...it is a very strong bond...and i know that i know...that no matter what...we would be there for each other in a heart beat.

for deep friendship, we have to be willing and able to trust each other...trustworthiness is about having faith that someone will keep your secrets, will react in a loving way to whatever you reveal and accept you without making you feel ashamed...

my girlfriends have helped me find courage to get through alot of stuff...from just a rough day to life-changing decisions. when we are together there is alot of laughter - and this laughter is what keeps things in perspective, even in the moments that are difficult...we encourage each other, we cry together, but mostly...we laugh together...

what i know is that our lives would be extremely difficult if we had to fight all our battles alone...knowing that someone is "on our side" can help us in not feeling overwhelmed when trouble knocks at our door. our girlfriends can give us that boost of confidence that is needed when we need that extra nudge to go in the right direction, we can count on them to get behind us and push...

my girlfriends are women who are trustworthy...they are women who have provided me a sanctuary...we listen to each other regardless of how their feelings might seem to us...where others might pass on bits of information as gossip, true girlfriends value confidences, protecting our private truths and accept what we have to say without judgement.

if you find such a friend...hold on to them...they are a friend worth fighting for...