Fresh Start

For the past two weeks I have been helping out a good friend. Well, I guess not really helping out, as this friend certainly didn't ask me for my help, but rather sticking my big nose in his business and taking it upon myself to give this friend a big change, desired or not. Call it presumptuous, but sometimes people just need you to get the ball rolling to make a big life change. 

So I started this daunting project of cleaning out my friend's room, in order to make it a comfortable space for when he is discharged from the hospital and able to come home. When we began, I wasn't sure if he was ever going to come home, he was in a coma on a ventilator and no one was sure what was going to happen to him. Now, thanks to the grace of god, western medicine, and his amazing resolve, my friend is awake, alive, and walking and talking like never before. What a wonderful turn of events. 

Upon visiting him tonight in the hospital, I showed him the photos I took of his new room. Crisp and clean, free of clutter and debris, complete with new furniture to fit his needs, it will be a great fresh start to his much needed health overhaul. I was nervous to show him the pictures, afraid he might be upset at my "when in doubt, throw it out" attitude, I couldn't have been more wrong. His eyes glistened with tears and his jaw hit the floor as he viewed the incredible transformation. He couldn't stop staring, blown away by the immensity of the change, overwhelmed with gratitude and disbelief. A truly beautiful moment to behold. I cannot wait to see how he reacts when he is ready to come home to live, I hope it will be the new start he so desperately needs. 

A Beautiful Friendship

I woke up this morning still reeling from a wonderfully fulfilling weekend.  I was the lucky hostess of seven of my closest friends from high school and some of their children and significant others. The party started Thursday afternoon and kept on going until the last friend left yesterday at around 5pm.

I spend months harassing these people to carve out dates, get off the proverbial fence, and commit to taking the time out of their busy schedules to get together for a few days. The annoyance with the constant barrage of emails is palpable, yet I persist, knowing that the ultimate goal of togetherness is always worth it. Seeing my friends embrace in the long overdue hello definitely makes it all worth the time and energy.

What I found the most amazing about this weekend was the compatibility factor. I cannot imagine another scenario in which 12 people could share my little house and get along so well. I never for one second felt annoyed with anyone or the situation at large, in fact I was totally sad to see them all go. That is true friendship.

In the midst of the laughing, cooking, dancing, and story-telling we decided that we really should  just give it up and move to a big commune all together. Why the hell not? Keep the good times rolling I say, I can't imagine a more fantastic fantasy come true. So if anyone knows of a good spot we can overtake, let me know, I'm in.

Until next time friends, you'll be hearing from me about the next gathering real soon...