COUNT YOUR GARDEN BY THE FLOWERS
NEVER BY THE LEAVES THAT FALL.
COUNT YOUR DAYS BY GOLDEN HOURS
DON'T REMEMBER CLOUDS AT ALL.
COUNT YOUR NIGHTS BY STARS
NOT SHADOWS.
COUNT YOUR YEARS WITH SMILES
NOT TEARS.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
NOT YOUR TROUBLES.
COUNT YOUR AGE BY FRIENDS
NOT YEARS.
I was painting my bathroom today with a new Martha Stewart low VOC paint named "Hemp" and had to remove all the pictures, paintings, and do dads that I had up. I set them aside in another room until the paint was totally dry and then began to clean, polish and re-hang them all. Some I moved to other rooms; some remained in their same spot.
This little framed piece was given to me years ago by someone I used to be able to call my friend. I wonder now, if she remembers giving this to me, and if so, does she remember what the words said and why she picked it out? Sure, it has pansies on it. Pansies are one of my favorite flowers. I have lots of things with pansies on them. Maybe even too many.
But the words are what struck me today when I was cleaning the glass and pondering where I should hang this. The words are so poignant, so wise, yet she remains in the background reading this most likely, but choosing to remain silent.
I'm not quite sure about the saying on this little plaque. I think that life holds a little of both good and bad. Some yin, some yang. You couldn't appreciate one without the other. Another friend once told me all you need in life is ONE GOOD FRIEND. I always believed what she told me to be true. She was a wise woman. If that's the case, then I will be forever young, according to this plaque.
What do you consider to be a good friend? Are there categories for friends?
The relationships between 4 women and everything they went through on the TV show "Sex and the City" is what I think of when I think "Good Friends". Would you consider these 4 friends "Good Friends"? Those ladies sure had their ups and downs but remained solid friends in my estimation. Carrie really made some blunders when it came to men yet her friends supported her AND told her that she was making a mistake. Samantha?? What about her? Wow...talk about having an open mind when it comes to being her friend. Yet, when she got breast cancer all her friends were there to support her. They bolstered her through her bad times. And what did they do when Carrie got dumped at the altar? They all went on a vacation together to soothe her and help her forget. This group of women I admired. I loved the relationships that they developed and how they all supported each other's differences.
Maybe I watch too much TV. Maybe these kinds of relationships don't really exist. Maybe you have to edit everything you say in order to be a good friend. I not sure anymore. I guess I'll put this plaque up on a shelf until I can figure it out.
i hope not. i need people in my life that will love me for who i am , and tell me when i am screwing up...and any relationship that is even semi engaging will have its tension...its what you do with it that makes the difference...
ReplyDeleteYou really find out who your friends are during your lowest times.
ReplyDeleteCommunication is the only way to really put a misunderstanding to rest. If there is no open communication, then it will never be fixed. We will always be there for you no matter what.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm young too, as I can count my firm friends on one hand. I also had what I thought was a friend for life until she decided not to call again for some unknown reason. I came across a small cushion with the saying, "Friends for Life" and couldn't leave it out...I think it's in the linen press, or I've sent it to the opp shop.
ReplyDeleteYou are all so incredible! Alaine: I guess you and I are in the same boat. Maybe I should do what you did and sent mine to the opp shop too. After all, it just hurts to look at that stuff. Brings back too many memories.
ReplyDeleteApril: You are SO right. Open communication, not sweeping things under a rug, is what was needed. Some people just don't want to discuss what is bothering them though, even with YOU!
Brian: Isn't that key: having someone in your life who will tell you when you are screwing up? If you were good enough friends, you would understand and NOT get hurt. It work both ways too. You have to be able to TELL someone when they are screwing up without having them get THEIR feelings hurt. Thanks for the comments. You are so right-on...always!