The Young and the Restless

Friends

I used to go over my text limit religiously each month.  Now the only texts I get are from Vodafone alerting me that I still have 4986 texts remaining in my bill cycle.  I can go days without my phone ringing and only 3 people, besides Jason, even have my number.  It sounds lonely, but it's kinda really not. In fact, I thought maybe I should take a 2 year hiatus from friends, I already have the best friends that a girl could ask for waiting at home for me so I thought maybe I shouldn't even bother trying. But I've began to realize that friends, good friends, aren't just a want, they're a need.  I usually shy away from public praising, I think a personal heartfelt thank you is so much more sincere than a social networking shout out, but I have been really touched by a few kind acts of service that I wanted to record them.  The first one happened the day that we moved out of the Belle Bonne motel (well, really it was supposed to happen the day before, but you know how those Belle Bonne employees are...).  As we were locking up and anxious to say goodbye, the manager remembered that someone had dropped a package off the day before.  I figured it must have been something for Jason's work, but then I saw the cutest little pop-pom garland tied around it and I was baffled.  When I read the card, I was so overwhelmed.  Months ago I had found a girl on instagram who lives in the area and she has been my saving grace as I bombarded her with questions and I enjoyed getting to know her through email.  She lives about 25 min away and dropped off a box of donuts to wish us a happy fourth of July and a happy moving day. I couldn't help but get a little choked up. Even to this day I still can't get over the kindness and thoughtfulness, I don't know if she'll ever realize what an impact that left on me. I still can't wait to meet her in person, hopefully soon!

I've been taking full advantage of the laid back island mindset, we really don't have those busy crazy days like we used to. But last Tuesday really tested me.  It was the day Jayden broke his arm, I was about to put Ryder down for a nap when the school called, and after wrestling with a tired and cranky 2 year old for 3hrs in the waiting room my every last nerve was fried.  After listening to him scream the entire way home, we pulled up to the house and I saw the most beautiful bouquet of flowers sitting on my porch. It stopped me in my tracks.  My dear friend had ordered these to be delivered on my birthday, and even though they came a few days after my birthday, they came at the perfect time.  This friend has done so much for me over the years and has always been such an example of selfless service.  She will be up to her eyeballs in laundry and dirty dishes, but will drop anything to watch my kids if I'm in a bind or bring me dinner if I'm sick.  And here she is on the other side of the world still thinking of such a thoughtful way to make me feel loved on my birthday. I was so touched and not a day goes by that I don't think of her when I'm looking at those flowers.  The rest of the evening was chaos.  Sweet Grandma Judy stopped by to see how Jayden was doing and it was nuts. Ryder was beyond consolation, Maddox was in a heap bawling on the floor, for who knows why and I had about 30 seconds to come up with dinner.  I was frantically trying to google a recipe for homemade pancakes (where's Hungry Jack when you need it??) when Judy ran to her house and came back with a roasting chicken and vegetables and went to work in the kitchen while I took care of the kids. I just sat there on the floor rocking Ryder back and forth feeling so overwhelmed and grateful for both of these friends who showed such kind acts of service when I needed it most.

We will occasionally get a few nice days during the week, but it never fails to rain every weekend. Seriously, we had that one nice weekend when we went to the beach, but that was it. I have these big plans for day trips, but every Saturday they get ruined by the rain.  This Saturday was so cold and miserable and 10:45am found me back in bed cuddled up under my electric blanket and having a little pity party.  Then Jason came upstairs and brought me a package that had just come in the mail.  As I opened it, my heart was about to burst.  Inside was my own little box of sunshine as a birthday gift from a few of my friends.  If there was ever a day that I needed sunshine, it was today. I just sat there blown away and speechless.  Although I did manage to eat some lemonheads, because ya know, that's what lemonheads are made for.  I just couldn't believe that they would take the time out of their busy schedules to put such a thoughtful package together. And don't even get me started on the cost of shipping, I almost choked on my lemonhead when I saw the shipping label. I don't know how a girl like me got so lucky to be blessed with such amazing people in my life.  As I sat there listening to the rain pour outside, I realized two very important things: Bath and Body works really needs to open a chain in New Zealand, and I need to be a better friend.  Here I was so selfish with my time here. I wanted to focus solely on our family, which isn't a bad thing, but in my effort to better myself as a mom and as a person, I forgot how important selfless service is.  I don't think any of these girls that I mentioned will ever realize what an impact their thoughtfulness has had on me and how it has inspired me to brighten someone's day.  During this time when I thought I really didn't need friends after all, I came to realize I need friends more than ever and more importantly, I need to be that kind of friend to others.

PS--the day after I posted this, we got another fun package in the mail.  I tell you, it was like Christmas!  Our sweet neighbors sent a party in the box and the kids devoured the candy and had the best time with the balloons (Ryder even slept with a few that night).  As soon as it warms up again then we'll go outside and do the silly string, bubbles and glow sticks.  So fun to get a little piece of the good ole' U S of A, so grateful once again for such generous and thoughtful friends that we have been blessed to have in our lives.  And I'm grateful for the reminder and opportunity we have to pay it forward. Much love....