A Note For All My Friends

For my old friends and new.....I have been doing some deep thinking and thought I would post some thoughts for you all to read. For those of you that have been in my life for the past 7 years, you know what I have gone thru, with 61/2 years of illness and dialysis leading up to my kidney transplant last summer. For those of you that know, I tried living those 6 years as normally as I could, so my family could live as normally as possible, even with dialysis 3 hours a day, 6 days a week, and I tried to do everything with a smile (at least I hope I did!) Of course, I could not have done anything without the help of my loving husband Mike, my wonderful kids Robyn and Joey, my Synogogue community and the Fox Mill E.S. community. But most especially without the help of my friends, who were always there for me, bringing me dinners (or arranging to have Kosher or vegetarian dinners brought over,) taking me out for coffee, taking Robyn and Joey when I had to have surgery, or just for calling to see how I was doing. Of course it weren't for my friends and their love and faith, then I wouldn't have had enough belief in myself to be so positive about things, and let me tell you there were times when I really didn't feel so positive, but you guys (and gals!!!) always knew how to make me feel better. When life gave me lemons, you made me lemonade, when someone ate my bowl of cherries, you all decided we should have spitting contests with the bowl of pits! My friends are the people who make me who I am, and I thank you for that, and I love you all the more for it. That being said, I want to give back to my friends, especially those who are going thru some tough times right now..with their health, with their kids, with their marriages...

-Think positive. Being negative will not help you through your rough times. I think that by thinking positive was what got me thru the rough times I had.

-Don't spend your life hiding under the blankets. I know that's what you feel like doing, but it accomplishes nothing. Once in a while when it is a dark, dreary stormy day, yeah, go for it, but then come out, and approach life with a positive attitude and a smile on your face.

-Take the advice you are given, esp. if many people are giving it and it makes sense (not medical advice, unless you have consulted a Dr, or are told to do so by a Dr.)

-Don't just sit there spinning your wheels. Remember, if you continue to do what you've always done, you will continue to get what you've always got.

-Lean on your friends. That's what they are there for, however, sometimes they get tired of hearing the same thing over and over. If you have an issue that you keep telling them about, but you refuse to help yourself, listen to advice or get some help, your friends aren't going to want to listen anymore. There is only so much anyone can listen to about an issue if a person doesn't try to help themselves, or continues to make excuses. I know that there are some situations where there is nothing you can do but wait (been there, done that but the last thing I tried to do was complain to people.)

-Have faith in your self!

-Have faith in God

-Remember your rough times won't last forever, and your friends are here to help you through them. Your friends love you and are their for you....even if they root for the wrong sports teams!  

So to all me friends who have seen me through the roughest 7 years of my life, THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU TO LIFE! (And you know who you are...Wendi, especially!!! You were not only a great hand holder, food giver, diinner organizer, starbucks buddy and book giver, but you ALWAYS took Robyn and Joey for the day, the afternoon, overnite, anytime I had a Drs appt, I had outpatient surgery, or was in the hospital, and as we know, that happend quite often! I love you and David, and know you guys came into our lives for a reason...we never would have made it without you!) To all my old friends who are back in my life, I am glad I am healthy now to enjoy having you back in my life....You are all very special to me in many ways. You all have come back in to my life at a fantastic time for me...I am me again for the first time in many years, and it is actually new for me, and I am relearning about myself! To all my new friends, welcome to my life! As I just stated, I am just starting to relearn about my self, so welcome to my wild ride! I love you all in many different ways! One thing I know is that I will never ever take a friend for granted! My friends all rock! Each and every one of you mean the world to me. Thanx for being there and for being my friends!