Stretching My Wings

Ive been thinking. In the middle of serious problems I usually keep to myself - much to the consternation of my hubby. I refuse to talk. I stay away from company until I have worked everything out inside my head and have arrived at a course of action. That is why Im very sorry if I have not been posting as regularly as I want to. Ive been trying to work something out.

My recent career moves have made some serious dents in my annual income. Although it is something that should bother me immensely, it is the redefining of who I am and what I can do (away from the things I have done well) that has made stop and think. Ive been enumerating all my skills and picking on ones that I would like to hone further... Im starting a new venture in an area I have much passion about... Im gauging areas and trade I would like to explore more extensively and match it up with my old and newfound skills.

It feels like am embarking on a (parallel) career all over again... at the age of 42! I wonder if this is what they call "second wind?" :)

Yup, I quietly turned 42 last Tuesday. I thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful surprise dinner hosted by my closest friends the Saturday before and the family luncheon we had the following day. I pleaded no to loud dance parties for I really wanted quiet conversations with friends and family in this time of reflection. I received the wonderful electronic birthday cards of MsDragon, HeavensDevil and SimplyBeingMe that touched me deeply. Friends who remember my birthday, most specially those from afar, touch my heart immensely. Sniff... sniff... And reading my chatterbox posts just made the dam burst! sniff.. sniff... Thank you all...

Baby steps. Thats what I feel Im taking now. Baby steps. Wobbly but packed with enough courage to just go for it... Surrounded by people who truly care. Thank you.

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There is a difference between being an acquaintance and being a friend. An acquaintance is someone whose name you know, who you see every now and then, who you probably have something in common with and who you feel comfortable around.

It's a person that you can invite to your home and share things with. But they are people who you don't share your life with, whose actions sometimes you don't understand because you don't know enough about them.

On the other hand, a friend is someone you love. Not that you are "in love" with them, but you care about them and you think about them when they are not there. The people you are reminded of when you see something they might like, and you know this because you know them so well. They are the people whose pictures you have and whose faces are in your head regardless.

Friends are the people you feel safe around because you know they care about you. They call just to see how you are doing, because a friend doesn't need an excuse. They tell you the truth, the first time, and you do the same. You know that if you have a problem, they are there to listen.

Friends are the people who won't laugh at you or hurt you, and if they do hurt you they try hard to make it up to you. They are the people you love, regardless of whether you realize it.

Friends are the people you cried with when you got rejected from colleges and during the last song at the prom and at graduation. They are the people that when you hug them, you don't think about how long to hug and who's going to be the first one to let go.

Maybe they are the people that hold the rings at your wedding, or maybe they are the people who give you away at your wedding, or maybe they are the people you marry. Maybe they are the people who cry at your wedding because they are happy or because they are proud.

They are the people who stop you from making mistakes and help you when you do. They are are the people whose hand you can hold, or you can hug or give them a kiss and not have it be awkward because they understand the things you do and they love you for them.

They stick with you and stand by you. They hold your hand. They watch you live and you watch them live and you learn from them. Your life is not the same without them.

Author Unknown
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My MB family are definitely NOT acquaintances. They, and the things they go through, are ALWAYS inside my head

...and my heart :)