Mondays are generally sucky. I think we all can agree on that point. It’s a day we just all kind of endure but no one enjoys it. This past Monday was set to be that way for me, another ENDURING Monday for the books. But at 2:30 p.m. I received an unexpected text.
“Hey, I found tickets to Carrie Underwood tonight. Want to go with me?”
The ride or die friend in me thought “Heck yes I want to go!” However, the mom who knew that her teenage kids were at home nursing a stomach bug just couldn’t jump in without checking the waters at home. So a few quick texts to the kids and then to my hubby, and getting a “Go girl” response, I was off to the races… On a Monday no doubt. No planning even. Who IS this person????
I sped home from work at 5pm, made a record 5 minute change of clothes and quick lip gloss application, and I was off to pick up my friend! We listened to Crime Junkies podcast and chatted the whole way to the concert. It was so unMonday. We also didn’t talk about anything medical or even say the Cancer word. Honestly, this is the one friend that didn’t know yet. We just had fun.
The Cry Pretty concert was amazing. I remember voting for Carrie Underwood back in the American Idol days of yore! I have always loved her. She is really so authentic and I think she is who she portrays. No doubt she will be remembered as one of the greats when it is all said and done. Her voice was on point. But, I swear, when she sang Temporary Home and Jesus Take the Wheel, I almost bawled. I guess thinking about life and death with everything that’s been going on has made those songs have so much more meaning.
After the show, we had an hour and some change drive home and I spent this time sharing with my friend the diagnosis, etc. It was a good talk and not the kind of talk I can have with really anyone else in my life. It reminded me of how wonderful it is to have friends who are so different.
So I want to say thank you to all the girlfriends in this world. Because we all have different roles to play in each other’s lives. Some of us are the shoulders to cry on, some have practical words of wisdom, some provoke us out of our comfort zones, some do acts of kindness, some watch movies on the couch with you, and others bring delicious food or pray for you. But all girlfriends support each other with their strengths, whatever they may be. I am so thankful for that and it makes me realize that I need to do a better job of supporting my friends. Because we all need it. Every day we need support. Not because of a specific reason like a medical diagnosis. But because life is hard and we are responsible for a lot of stuff!
So if you are reading this today, lift up a girlfriend somehow today. We should all take the time to realize how beautiful and wonderful our chosen circle truly is. I ask God’s blessings on all of my circle and your’s too.
Amen.
