I have my two sisters. Sister's aren't always a given - sometimes they're more of a pain in the ass than anything. But not mine. We don't talk much, but I always know they are there. As we've grown older, I've learned so much more about them. And I learn FROM them so much more than I ever thought possible. They both are very different from each other, but both have qualities I really wish I had.
I have my Guido. She's my own personal Mafia in stilettos. She teaches me to be strong and stand up for myself. To be a butt-kickin ninja and not to take any crap from anyone. She loves fashion too, so she helps me when I have to play dress up. She has the biggest most beautiful eyes I've ever seen., too. Always looks like a million bucks. I can break down in tears in front of her and she's there filling up my glass. I can tell her I'm feeling crazy and she's there with Prozac, or vodka, or whatever. She's the one who would hide the bodies and not even tell me so I could honestly say I had no clue about anything. And she'd be dressed to the 9's while doing the deed, too.
I have my Confession-gal. She's the one I can say anything to, and I mean ANYTHING, and she won't judge me. Or be surprised. Or try to have me committed. Not that any of the others would either, but this one is just different. She somehow understands that there are times I simply cannot control what's happening in my head. And that I'm very ill-equipped to keep it inside my head. No matter how insane or dark my words/thoughts are, she hears what I say and then asks a couple of questions: 1) why I think I feel this way, 2) what I feel I can change to create a different situation. We usually get to laughing at some point or other. Then she'll say something comforting, and sympathizes with me through a similar situation she's experienced. She also tries to help me see things in a Godly light, but without being an over-zealous crazy Christian type person. I think she and I are pretty close to the same page on our spiritual walk. Always working on it and trying to keep our feet pointed in the right direction. I still need corrective shoes most times. She follows up by making sure I know she loves me and that I'm awesome just the way I am. Who doesn't need to hear that? Plus she just has one of those faces. You know? The one that makes you feel at home even if you don't know her. Such a huge smile! I guess her heart shines through her face - but not in a Jack-o-Lantern creepy way. In a very lovey dovey way.
I have my Support Hose. She is the one who supports me. ALWAYS. I've known her the longest, I think. Even if I'm dead wrong in whatever I'm mouthing off about, she will NEVER say so. Well, I take that back. She WILL, but in her own soft way so it doesn't hurt my feelings. The worst she would say is something like "Well, you know I love you, but in my opinion....." She's quietly analytical of all sides of everything and usually finds points I haven't even considered. But she doesn't make me feel stupid for not seeing those aspects. When I fail, big or little, she ALWAYS says, "What's the worst they can do? You did the best you could. Now let's move on." And if she has to, she will physically drag me through hard stuff. She's done that before. But its weird, she's there in a very quiet sort of way. We joke that we have shared a brain for years - and that we can tell when the other one has it - but I kinda don't think its not a joke. I think we do share a certain connection that is very very strong. Her silent support is always a comfort to me.
I have my Senorita. She is the one who just hears me out - no matter what. She's been the first one I've called during some very tough times. Her strong silence, "air hugs", heartfelt prayers are way beyond what I can explain in words. We are from very different backgrounds, but are oddly similar in so many ways We both have issues with self-esteem (not in a bad way, we just don't always think as highly of ourselves as we probably should) and with balancing different parts of our lives. We understand some of the other's work lives as well, and help build each other up in those areas. She's a bit of a health nut. I'm not, but I keep hoping she will rub off on me. We both love homemade things over store-bought stuff. We're just Granola girls at heart and love each other dearly.
I have my Girl-friend. She's the one my husband likes the most out of my village. Well, other than my Support Hose, I guess. We can go grab a bite to eat and spend 4 hours talking about absolutely nothing at all. We have children the same ages and genders, so there is a lot in common there. We kinda share our children, in a weird way. We've known each other the least of everyone in my village, but there was an immediate connection when we met. She and my hubs can sit and talk about whatever - and I can sit and talk with her hubs about whatever, also. She's really smart too. Common sense wise, business wise and spiritually, too. She's the person I go to when I need to ask what to say to someone and how to say it and be able to back it up Biblically. She's also the person I call when my crappy car breaks down. She drives up, throws her doors open, laughs really loud, and then drives me home. Those sort of people are hard to find. I wouldn't give her up for anything!
I have my HomeGirl. This one is different from the others. I don't know that, if left to our own devices, we would have chosen to be friends had God not put us in the same place at the same time. Not for any real reason except for that we are truly very different. Like Senorita, we've had totally opposite childhoods and life experiences. She's taught me so much about certain parts of the human psyche that I never understood and really didn't even know existed. But because we have shared some very personal, very difficult situations, we have created a bond that I don't think will ever be broken. I have shared some of the most emotional parts of my life with her, and she with me. We have learned so much about one another that we've really become very close. She knows more about me than my sisters and spouse. She is one I know I can talk to about anything. And she can tell what I'm feeling when I'm not talking, as well. I know she will always be completely honest with me. Regardless of how it might make me feel. In fact, she was the one who told me I needed to see someone because my brains were scrambling. It takes some serious courage and love to tell someone that. We joke by saying she not the "nurturing" type, but she is in her own kick-ass and take-names way. She is one of my strongest defenders and I appreciate that so much more than I could ever tell her.
There are a few more people moving in.to my little village. Some women as well as a few men. Maybe I'll say more about them at a later time. But for now, I'm just feeling incredibly thankful for these people in my life.