Just Listen

I have a friend that is going through a very rough time right now and I, as their friend, am having a hard time knowing what to say. It's hard for me to see my friend hurting and to hear their sad words.


I have learned through my training as a Stephen Minister, that all I can really do is listen to someone that is hurting. As much as I want to fix the problem for my friend, or give them advice, I could do them more harm by doing this.

But still.... this is MY friend and it breaks my heart to see them hurting and I want to FIX everything so that they can be happy again!! 

I almost feel guilty for being happy in my own life. But, I also know that I can not let myself "wallow" in my friend's unhappiness. I can not let them bring me down. I also know that my friend would never willingly do that to me.  

So, I will continue to listen to my friend and be as supportive as I can. I will also pray to God for peace and happiness for my friend, and for them to make "wise choices" during this difficult time. That's about all I can do.

A to Z Blog Challenge ~ G

Today's word is GOOD as in GOOD FRIENDS.

I have recently learned what a "good friend" truly is.

A good friend is one that is loyal and always has your back, no matter what. They watch out for you.

Good friends are with you through good times and the bad.

A good friend is one that is there for you in times of crisis.

A good friend is always willing to just listen and not necessarily give advice. They respect your needs for confidentiality so you feel comfortable telling them anything. They are trustworthy.

A good friend will not judge or criticize you.

A good friend will forgive you if you make a mistake.

I have to give a "shout out" to a few special friends who I am honored to call my "GOOD FRIENDS".

To Valerie who was willing to go with me to meet the surgeon that was to perform my gall bladder operation, ... was one of the few people who called to check on me after my surgery,...  and was one of only 3 people who have come to visit me since my surgery. She brought me this beautiful flameless candle!

The words that are printed on the candle say.. "The road to a friends house is never long." I love it, Valerie! Thank you, again!

To Diana, my long distance best friend, who called on Friday, after my surgery to check on me, and then again, yesterday. I really appreciated your kind words and I know that if you lived closer that you would be over here every day!

To Karen, for coming to visit me in the hospital, after my surgery. What a wonderful surprise it was to see your sweet face!! Thank you so very much for coming to see me!

To Barb & Retha for the sweet cards that you sent and gave to me.

There were many other friends that have prayed for me (and still are!) over the last few weeks. Thank you so VERY much! It has been so comforting to know that you are doing that for me.

Thank you, Lord, for the good griends that you have provided for me. I pray that you watch over each one of them and that you help me to be a "good friend" to each of them, as well.

Bucket List #82-84

Forgive me for be a "little" distracted lately and not continuing with my Bucket List. I am anxious to complete it so that I can go on to blog about other ideas that I have!

#82 --- Live to see my grandchildren have children --- I am a family history "buff", as some might say. (Although, I have no idea where that term came from!) I guess I could say this instead.... "I enjoy learning about my family history."  There. That's better! I would love to be around long enough to be a Great-Grandmother!! All of my Great-Grandparents died WAY before I was born. And even my "Grandparents" weren't around very long. My girls only knew my Maternal Grandmother. Hubby was lucky enough to have his Grandparents around for a while. His Paternal Grandmother is still living and is 98 years old!! She is a wonderful lady and is someone that we all admire and adore. I pray that someday.... my Grandchildren & (hopefully) my Great-Grandchildren ... say this same thing about me!

#83 --- Stay healthy so that I can be an active Grandma & older adult --- This is something that I REALLY WANT TO DO!! I have two very different examples in my life -- well, three... if I count Hubby's 98 year old Grandma! --- of older adults. The first one is MY MOTHER. She is 78 years old, and because she did not live a healthy lifestyle throughout her adult life.... she is now in a nursing home and pretty much "trapped" in a wheelchair. I DO NOT want to be like her!!! The second one is MY MOTHER-N-LAW. She is 70 years old and is still VERY active!! She volunteers (and works) HOURS UPON HOURS at the hospital near her. She travels at least 3 times a year either by plane or by car. She still has a business that she runs out of her home, which involves sewing and making cushions & covers for boats. She is VERY active in her church where she plays the organ & piano and also leads the choir! As she does all of these things, she is also being a WITNESS FOR CHRIST.  --- THIS is the type of "Older Adult" that I want to be!!

#84 --- Spend a weekend at a spa with a friend --- I think this would be so much fun! We would get manicures & pedicures, facials, and massages! We would relax by the pool and have a total "Girl's Weekend"!

This photo was taken at the Spa that Hubby took me to for our 25th Wedding Anniversary!

Bucket List #64-66

#66 --- Visit Savannah and take a ghost tour at night --- I orginally wrote this list about 2 years ago, about the time the movie "The Bucket List" came out in 2007. As you can see from my list so far... I have not accomplished very many (IF any at all!) on my list. This one here, tho...  is one that I have "half-way" done. I have been to Savannah, but I have not done a ghost tour at night there. I DID go on one when I went to New Orleans with some friends, back in March of 2009. Now that I have done a ghost tour in "NOLA", I no longer want to do that in Savannah. I have been to Savannah once with Dtr. #2's Girl Scout troop. It was a VERY short visit, and the only sight-seeing thing that we did, was to go to Juliet Lowe's home for a tour and special activities, there. It was great fun, but now I want to go back and do "grown-up stuff"! I want to go there with Hubby and stay in a hotel in the riverfront area where we can walk to everything.

#67 --- Take a long road trip with a friend --- Like I said... I wrote this a few years ago. This is one of the things that I think I will have to "rethink". After going on that trip to New Orleans with 3 friends, I don't know if going on a LONG trip with even ONE friend is such a good idea! Maybe an overnight trip, but that's about it! I don't want to end up like "Thelma & Louise"!

#68 --- Travel west of Alabama --- When I made this list, I had not accomplished this yet. It took me 44 years.... but, I finally made it across the Alabama border into Mississippi in March of 2009, when I went to New Orleans!