My 29Gift Journey ~ Gift 11

Busy day today, Mondays usually are. After daycare I took my 4yr old to dance and then I went to my Beginning Experience support group for those who have lost a spouse either through divorce or death. After our group session some of us got together afterward for coffee which was wonderful. It is hard for me to reach out to others but by doing so in a large group there doesn't feel to be as much pressure as there would be one-on-one. It feels good to be making new friendships and as several of the women there are also widows it was wonderful to talk to others who have gone through or are going through the same things that I am.

After coffee I realized that I hadn't given a gift today, other than the gift of listening and sharing which was more of a receive for me anyway, so I stopped at the grocery store and picked up a few things we needed as well as some donuts. When I got home I wrote a card to my neighbors next door whom I really don't know very well but who always wave when we see each other coming or going. I left the donuts and card on their door and hope they go well with a cup of coffee tomorrow morning.

Tonight I received lovely compliments when we were having coffee such as I was insightful and fun to talk to. This was nice to hear because I don't always see myself as a good friend, mostly because I never quite know what to say when first meeting people. Getting out of my comfort zone and making new friends is a wonderful but scary experience for me. I also invited a new friend from my group to go to Brittany & Danielle's school play with me next month and was excited that she and her mother would like to attend with me.

I also received a call from a friend of mine inviting me to meet her and her husband for drinks tonight. Although I didn't go because I had my meeting it was nice to hear from her and know that she was thinking of me.

As I am writing this I looked down at my daily calendar and noticed that todays quote on my calendar is; "Friends are the family you choose for yourself." This quote is perfect for today because it feels great to be making new friends and finding connections to people who are bringing positive things to my life. These friends also include all of you whom I am getting to know here... thank you so much and I look forward to getting to know you even more.