Happy Thanksgiving.  I am officially stuffed.  I went spinning this morning–it was a hell of a ride–so I don’t feel too guilty for eating turkey and the wonderful Pumpkin Carmel Swirl Cheesecake Minnow and I made yesterday…

I know I have said this before, but it is hard to talk about all things I am thankful for…as there are so many things beyond what I might be able to blog about these 7 days of thanks I am having.  I really am thankful for so much in my life.  I really have very little to not be thankful for (if anything really)

Today I would like to dedicate this Thankful post to my friends.  I am so very lucky to have the friends that I have–both new and old friends.  My closest friends are with me since before high school or since my freshman year in high school (so nearly 20 years and some much longer).  I ddn’t go to college out of high school, so I don’t have college friends.  When I went to college I was well in my 20’s and lived off campus–Hello older than everyone.  I have a great friend that I made while we were roommates in Santa Barbara.  She is awesome, but lives too too far away and I miss her. 

My oldest friend has been my friend since 1st grade–Hey Steckler I so miss you.  We aren’t as close as we could be as life just gets in the way.  She lives out of town and well you all know how crazy and busy life gets with marriage, kids, school, work, etc., etc., etc.  I have been lucky in life to have great friends.  I am always amazed when I think about my friends that I actually have friends.  I am not really a social person and never really have been.  I like having friends and I like getting together with friends, but I don’t like socializing.  I don’t like small talk.  I like having friends, but I have always been of the mindset that if I have a few close friends, I really have all the friends I need. 

My friends have been with me through so much.  My oldest friends were with me through the dark time that was high school and after.  Without them I am not sure I would have survived.  My oldest friends deserve some sort of friendship purple heart because I could be a selfish bitch and many times I was.  But they stayed with me.  They stuck it out and too them I will for ever be grateful.  I don’t know sometimes what I have done to deserve such awesome friends, but I have learned the questioning this isn’t productive and I should spend that time loving my and appreciating my friends and I don’t know that I do enough of that. 

Friendship is important and I have often neglected my friends.  Not on purpose, but as I stated a minute ago life sometimes gets in the way.  But I want you all to know that I appreciate you and love you and would not be who I am today without you.   

Dr. CS–you give me such strength and inspiration.  You have always been there for me and I love you so much for that.  You mean more to me than I know how to express.  I am so lucky to have you as part of my life.  I miss you tremendously and think of you often.  Knowing you and being your friend has made me a better person.  Thank you.  I am so thankful to have you. 

Mrs. KS (formerly KC)–what can I say besides I love you.  We spent so much of our time living within each other lives that sometimes I don’t remember if it was you or me that something happened too.  You have a light and a spirit that lightens my world and draws people to you.  You helped me discover so often who I was and you forgave me when that discovery hurt you.  I regret many things–but mostly I regret ever hurting you.  I know it was long ago and is all water under the bridge.  Your forgiveness has taught me much and is the greatest gift I could ever ask for. I love you.  Thank you for being my friend. 

To my new fellow Ethiopian Mamas…Your friendship is so very precious.  We share an experience that others cannot understand.  You are very special ladies and I am so lucky to have you in my life.  I look forward to watching our little ones grown into men together. 

To my blogging friends–as odd as this sounds you all give me an outlet.  A place to talk and be heard.  A place to share in experiences and to foster growth in myself.  I cannot wait to meet many of you–the time will certainly come.  Thank you for listening.  Sometimes that is all we need is someone to listen. 

So, take some time out this week and thank those friends who have helped you through your life and to become who you are today.  Too often we forget to thank those who are so much a part of who we are.  While you are at it thank yourself for being a friend.