Friends. They come in all forms from different places. We all need them, when we have them and when we don't. I am someone who is fiercely grateful for the women in my life. I have a best friend for the past 16 years, and through travel and work we have remained close. Nobody will ever take her place. Thing is she lives in Arizona. As powerful as a friendship may be, we need community. Local. Friends whos faces we see, who's children play, whos day to day struggles we commiserate. It's healthy for humans. Problem is, it took me years to have that here in Colorado. Yes, years. I had a job that did not lend itself to making friends, I was here, there, and everywhere in sales. It was lonely.
When I was pregnant with my first son, I was excited and my mom wanted to throw me a baby shower. Mom always comes through for me. I told her I didn't have many friends here but she was determined her only daughter would have a shower. I had friends from afar who were excited and said they would be at the shower, but circumstances being what they are many couldn't come and I totally understood that. I was also sad, because of course I wanted to celebrate that time with my friends and have the experience. Stacey came of course. Pregnant herself. It meant everything to me. A few other wonderful women came and we had a lovely afternoon. But this is my blog and I'll be honest. I sobbed hormonally in my husbands lap that I had no friends and had me a pity party. It just wasn't where I had hoped to be by that point with our lives in Colorado. We had very few people to share in the joy of our upcoming baby.
Not much had changed when I was expecting our second son two years later as work was only busier and I had made no other attempts to build my circle. Yep I had started to take some accountability at this point. I yelled "NO" emphatically when mom said every baby should be celebrated and was bummed at no "sprinkle" for baby boy #2.
Well after that baby was born I quit my job and really had no socialization so I said, "sink or swim" Kim. Put yourself out there and make some freaking friends. Or at least just show up and talk to people. So I did. I joined two local groups with my 2 year old and newborn. Brighton MOMs group and MOPs. Maybe to some people these groups don't mean what they do to me, but I hope they do. I have met not just other moms, but fun, wonderful women who have saved my soul and brought real friendships into my life in the big picture and the day to day. I'm not just a mom with them, I'm Kim too, and that feels so great. I'm a better mom because I have friends to share motherhood with, and friends for my kids. I was scared to be the new girl, but today I had a moment at my MOPs group where I looked at all the familiar faces and couldn't believe that only a year and a half ago I was scared and uncomfortable. These women make me laugh, cry, and for the first time I have been able to experience sharing the joy of a pregnancy with so many. Its been such a unique gift to me. Maybe some women have had that from the first baby, but not me. I'm so grateful!!
So when we found out baby #3 was a girl, mom was like, "baby shower". I was still hesitant. Does anybody have them for a 3rd baby? I don't want to seem greedy, I don't need much. Many people asked if I was having one, and so I finally said ok to my mom. A ridiculously generous friend offered to throw me one too, so together Stephanie and my mom are doing just that. I've allowed myself to be excited about it, because I really really am. I truly don't care about the gifts, I'm just so happy to have these women in my life to share in the upcoming arrival of our last baby. That is the gift for me. Oh, and Stacey is traveling again for this shower. Sista always pulls through too! I'm so excited!!
I also have to mention that I have a couple amazing neighbors who are also a lifeline for me. Friends from so many different circles now fill my life and my heart. Thank you so much to all the people in my life. You probably don't know the impact you've had on my life, but I do!
That my friends....is another rambling, emotional, hormonal post for now! Blessings, Kim :)
Friday, April 5, 2013
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