Sharing Our Stories

Friends Surround Us Like a Warm Blanket

“Friends 4-ever.”

“Let’s be our children’s godparents.”

“Keep in Touch Always.” or “KIT” for short.

These are the common declarations of teenage girls, and my daughter and her friend were no different.

One evening, the four of us parents & new acquaintances sat on the porch listening to our girls talk, and I mentioned that I still have friends from childhood. One I met at age 5, and I remember the exact day—how I walked across the street barefooted to her front lawn and introduced myself like my mom told me to do. We were the same age.

The other parents on the porch that night were dumbfounded. The girl’s dad said he doesn’t know even one person today from his college years let alone from childhood.

I’ve learned that his experience is more common than mine.

[Do you have friends from childhood?]

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I have a tendency to jump to the worst-case scenario when I encounter obstacles, and boy does it help to have a friend who knows me well talk me down from the ledges.

Some personality traits seem to be inborn, but this one—the preparing for disaster—could be residue from past experiences. I have faced a number of losses in life, so maybe that molded me a bit.

My cat is called Mitz for her mitten-like paws, for she is polydactyl (double-pawed), and she is getting old for a cat. She will be 17 this summer.

Mitz stopped eating for days, vomited water, and became lethargic, so I called the vet who told me to bring her in immediately as cats’ organs can be damaged after only 24 hours of not eating.

I knew at that point that I would likely have to say goodbye to this little companion. I had been trying to prepare myself lately that she is in her last years anyway, but now because she was so old and so sick, I realized the time snuck up on me, and I wasn’t ready.

I cried all morning as I made arrangements to get her to this urgent care vet facility about 40 minutes away. And I missed two turns on the drive as I sobbed to my friend on the hands-free phone.

“The vet may be able to give her some medicine and she could be fine,” my friend assured. “Don’t jump to conclusions.”

“No, you don’t understand. She’s 17! Her organs are already shutting down. I’m not going to be able to do this today.”

“Send me the address at a red light,” my friend said.

And with that, I had help.

My friend showed up at the facility and sat with me for THREE HOURS!

What kind of a person does this? Drops everything to sit with a friend? She’s also allergic to cats, by the way.

I’m so grateful for lasting friendships like this.

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I realize this is about a pet, and so many readers here have experienced the worst life has to throw at them.

I have a couple of those unwanted badges pinned to my vest as well.

The night before my mother passed away, I suffered from exhaustion—a fatigue so deep in my muscles, I couldn’t really get up from the chaise.

One of my friends came over, let herself in, brought me an iced tea, and sat on the edge of the lounge chair, tucking in a blanket around my legs and handing me the drink now and again.

I never forgot that gesture.

Some people delivered meals, folded laundry tossed to the side of my living room, or cleaned my kitchen for me.

And there are some other losses I haven’t even shared yet because to talk about them makes them real, and I tend to want to ignore them. Focus on something else so I don’t fall apart.

But when I do, I know my friends will be there.

My book is coming out SOON. We will uncover hidden truths and hopefully support each other—those who have traveled similar paths.

The power of good friends helps me step forward. Even some new friends who relate to my story will surround me with comfort.

A metaphorical blanket tucked around me.

Mitz posing for a portrait

And a happy update—the vet did indeed come into the room after hours of testing to share the good news that my little feline companion had a bout of nausea due to an overactive thyroid, and she will be just fine with medicine, like my friend told me. Hundreds of dollars later, she’s acting like a teenaged cat now.

Used up one of her 9 lives I guess.

[Please join me on this journey of storytelling, for both the writing & the reading are healing. Let’s call some others to gather ‘round us as we share our stories. I hope you stay tuned for my book about to be released. I shared a cover reveal in Notes.😊 ]

[Like ♥️ or Share to find new friends, like a warm blanket tucked in around us.]