...and one of the many reasons God provided them. 

I was just telling Mrs. Partyoffive the other night (during our Lost Party) how fortunate I am in the friendship department.  I have a number of people I'm just darned lucky to count as friends because, well, frankly, I don't deserve them.  They are people who make extraordinary friends of themselves, whereas I'm really not even a mediocre friend.  It just isn't my gift.

1. I do not remember birthdays.  And even when I do, I can never seem to pull off anything magnificent.  On the other hand, I have friends who actually send greeting cards to my pets, my children, my extended family, plus remember to throw a soiree to mark every single event in my life.
2. I forget to call.  Sometimes, I even forget to call back. 
3. I just don't notice subtle changes in the countenance of my friends, nor do I thoughtfully inquire what I can do to help.  On the other hand, I have friends who offer the most outrageous gifts of service to me at all times of the day and night.
4. I actually forget to do things I've promised.  And even when I remember my promises, I forget whether or not I've fulfilled my obligation and have to ask... or worse, forget to ask.  (What's up with that?  Maybe I need some Gingko Biloba.)  On the other hand, I have a number of fabulous friends who are like clockwork and highly dependable. 

So what has one of my glorious, undeserved friends done for me now?? 

A year or so ago, I mentioned in a blog that I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).   While the hubby recently disappeared on a very, very, very (have I said "very" enough?) extended trip overseas, I really struggled to cope.  And "coping" and "coping gracefully" are two very different things to begin with!  It was 2 weeks -- weekend and all.  I really survived fairly well until about 3 days prior to his return.  The single parenting thing finally got to me and I sincerely wanted to lock myself in a quiet closet and hide from my beloved children.  I also said and did some other pretty weird things, like turn down a snow skiing trip for next weekend that the king offered because I wanted to go to the Dominican Republic instead.  That should have been the first clue.

BUT, before I could do any one of the 5 or 10 things that it occurred to me to do, my good friend Mrs. MonkeyParade proclaimed "I know what's wrong with you!  You need your lights!" 

"Lights?" I asked, totally perplexed. 

"Yes, you are having Seasonal Affective Disorder!  Shall I go get you some of those light bulbs? I can bring them by." 

And suddenly, it all made sense.  What a relief. 

So, I really didn't need to:

1. Hide in the aforementioned closet.
2. Pack it all up and go join the circus.  I'm certain I would have been hired into the high wire act.
3. Drop the kids off at Mom's and move to Tuscany, where I could learn to mash grapes with my toes.
4. Move to Bali.
5. Keep reading so many Clive Cussler books -- it just felt so good to be a marine biologist out on the deck of a NUMA ship, even if only in my head.

It has been much cheaper to fill my Ipod with my old favorites and hit the sunny road with Sally-the-Golden-Pyrenees, my cell phone, a bottle of water and all the boys in the groups Yes and U2.  Yes, I know -- they are very OLD boys, by now!  (All the Queen's boys must stay home, or the whole purpose is defeated.)  Of course, I can't have this little micro-getaway when the king isn't home, so I'm still going to need some very cheerful lightbulbs for when that time comes, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.  Spring is on its way, for sure.

But if not for the blessing of friends, I'd probably still be swirling around the bowl of depression and not-quite-knowing-what's-wrong. 

And Tim will be happy to know that I kept the TV off all day and not one child over two years of age even noticed or commented.  All the kids were very amused to dance around to tunes from such winners as Def Leppard, Toad-the-Wet-Sprocket, The Cure, Nickelback, and Matchbox Twenty.  Did anyone get a little blast from the past, there, or am I just the oldest person I know??

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Posted by anotherblogonthefire

the Toad the Wet Sprocket cd I had. And you know... they played near Detroit a few weeks ago. Who'da thought?
Every year we get to February and start feeling down and like we really need a vacation. Eventually we remember - we feel like this every year! We have thought many times that we should get a SAD light for Kristina, but then we remember that alot of the fast food places have one on the wall in the corner. All we need to do is go and hang out at McDonalds! No... wait - that would be more depressing.

But moving to Bali really doesn't sound that bad...

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Posted by arajbrown

that all that music up-ed your coolness rating with your boys (the ones over 2) ... I recently downloaded Def Leppard to AJ's Ipod (along with a few Van Halen classics and a bit of Guns and Roses) ... it did wonders for my image ... made me question my judgement somewhat, but sometimes we've got to do what we've got to do.

Springs coming!!!

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Posted by onfire

on this side of the warm weather ... and we do disagree on your supposed lack of helpful, friend-like qualities.
I seem to remember someone making a LOT of effort to get a resume and cover letter ready to go. A LOT of effort (did I already say that?)

I agree with your choice of old boys up until def leopard. that, in my opinion, does not help the lights in their desired effects. but we in southwestern ontario absolutely, certainly, no questions asked DO relate to s.a.d. that's why our wee winter babies are given drops of vitamin d as newborns, and our margarine is coloured bright yellow, and we buy bright touques, and make online, southern friends!

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Posted by SmallWorld

Next year I am going to buy you a bright touque in February!!!
(And there IS a reason why people like us aren't the ministry coordinators....)

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