Sunday, January 10, 2010

My Best Friend


I've learned a lot of things about a lot of people, including myself, over the past year. True colors have been shown and relationships have been severed. My life is very different than it was January 10, 2009. I'm not the same person. I'm still a work in progress but I definitely don't see things the same.

There is one thing that I can say has always been steadfast and true and that is my relationship with my best friend. She has never faltered. I love her like we were carried inside the same womb. My friend has always been there for me and I love her dearly. She is the person I call when I need a shoulder to lean on or a tissue to wipe my tears.

There was a time when my husband and I were both laid off from our jobs. We struggled to make ends meet and keep a roof over our heads. There was no money for hanging out or the extras. My best friend bought me a coat when winter rolled around. That is something that I will never forget. It may not seem like much, but it meant the world to me. She didn't make a big deal about it. She knew what I needed and showed up with it one day. It brings tears to my eyes every time I think of it.

My friend

When I found out that my son was going to be a father, she is the first person I called. She has a way of making me feel better about things. She listens. I needed someone to talk to and she was there as usual. It didn't matter that it was really early in the morning and she got home late from work. I felt better about the situation after I hung up that phone. I knew that I needed to take a step back before responding.

My friend

I don't know what I would do without her. So many people in my life have turned out not to be what I wanted or needed them to be this year. It's nice to have that constant, that one person you know will have your back no matter what. Every time I realized fake, I called the real.

My friend

She has read almost everything i've ever written and has always asked me when I was going to get my sh*t together and start trying to get published. When I finally did and decided to start a book club of people whose opinions I trust, she was the first person I called. All she said was, "It's about damned time."

My friend

She always keeps it real with me. That is what I love most about her. It's what I need in my life. I've been told i'm too real, so real that people don't want to ask my opinion. I don't understand that at all. Why ask if you don't want to know the truth? I love that my friend is so honest. I love her even more for it.

My friend

We've laughed and cried together and have always been there for each other. She's the only person in this world who knows everything about me. I trust her with my life. I'd take a bullet for her. I remember we were shopping one day and a couple females were getting out of hand with me. They thought I was alone. It was an odd situation. I don't like to fight, but I will. I remember seeing my friend out of the corner of my eye. She was watching and putting on her leather gloves. That's so symbolic of her role in my life.

My friend

Marilyn

I don't tell her enough how much I love her and how much she means to me. She won't even see this. She's not really one for computers. It's okay. I was just thinking and needed to make this known. I recently found out that someone I thought I could trust was not who I thought they were. It shook me to my core. Of course I called my friend, Marilyn.

Today I sat down and thought of all the people I had to let go in my heart this year. That lead me to think of the one person I know will always be there. My best friend...

7 comments:

♥ CG ♥ said...

Happy New Year, Tammy!

I feel the same way about the past year. I've discovered several things that weren't as apparent before so I feel differently about quite a few things. Even when it comes to the value of relationships I realized that I haven't celebrated some folks who I trust my life with. I've made an unspoken commitment to tell each how much they mean to me over the next few months.

You never know, Marilyn made need to hear or read this, perhaps printing a copy for her along with a thank you card will make her day. All the best!

Solomon said...

Thanks for this Tammy. What a nice reminder that I need to send someone I care about deeply a thank you card tomorrow.

They have always been there for me through thick and thin and I never thank them enough. They are the best friend I've ever had and I never tell them how much I appreciate what they do for me.

Real friendships are to hard to come by to throw them out the window because one of them might think they are appreciated as much as they really are.

Strongblkwmn said...

CurvyGurl - I've definitely decided to let the people in my life who are important to me know how I feel. I found out something terrible about someone close to me that really made me treasure my friendship.

Solomon - I'm glad you're paying it forward. Real friendships are definitely hard to come by and should be cherished.

I called my friend after finishing this post and thanked her for being there for me. I'm going to make sure I do that more often.

Don said...

*standing ovation*

this post here speaks for myself as well. i can relate to just about every thing being said, and then some. i've always had family and friends but when a person undergoes something within their lives, the number itself quickly trickles down.

i arrived at the point where there were only a select few left within the circle. as you know, those left are the true friends.

even then, there was a woman who stepped up even more and her light shined brightly. she is the realest as far as i am concerned. not only does she listen and offer great advice, but she knows me well. it's almost as if she holds a quiet commitment towards me as a person.

like yourself, i feel honored and blessed to have her in my life.


great post.

Strongblkwmn said...

Don - I definitely feel you. We are blessed to have that person who can be counted on no matter what.

Yvette said...

That's wonderful. I knew it was Marilyn before I got to the end. Love you sis.

Lamika said...

I am so glad that you and Marilyn have always kept in touch. I am glad that she has been here for you.