Monday, October 4, 2010

October: A Little Help from Our Friends

Friends have been on my mind lately. A few good friends went through stressful challenges this summer while others found exciting opportunities.

Sometimes we're more sympathetic and reach out more to our struggling friends, but our newly successful friends welcome our support too. Who doesn't want to rave when something great happens? Or maybe what seems exciting to us frightens them; either way they appreciate a kind gesture.

After a hectic month with two kids in different sports, I realized just how blessed I am to have friends who will help me out. We carpooled, shared snacks, and divvied up kids. These women make my life easier and more fun, and I am so thankful to them.

Do you have supportive friends? How do you support your friends?

Join me on Wednesday when we'll talk about easy gestures to nurture our friendships.

Announcement: On Friday, October 8, we are having a virtual book party for Jody Hedlund to celebrate the release of her debut novel, The Preacher's Bride!! Join me for virtual refreshments, and to hear what other bloggers have to say about Jody and her amazing debut!!

30 comments:

  1. Good morning! I don't know how we do life without friendships. Mine are amazingly supportive of me and I try to be there for them.

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  2. My friend's daughter is having surgery early in Nov. I plan to make her a bunch of meals.

    Friends did that for me during difficult stretches of my life.

    ~ Wendy

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  3. Happy Monday to ya, Jill!

    Support makes all the difference, no matter the area of life, and I'm so thankful to be rich in this way.

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  4. Celebrating my friends successes and checking up when things are not going well are just two ways of supporting my friends. Sometimes, stubbornly, when I have not heard from someone for awhile, I'll also not reach out. And then find out they are going through a troubling time and fearful of getting anyone involved. Friends know better what we need than we do ourselves at times!

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  5. I'm with Lynn, I can be stubborn like that too. I do have a wonderful group of supportive friends...one that I will be sad to leave when we move in a couple of friends. I tend to submit to my writer-hermit syndrome and take awhile to make friends, and this new group has made me realize how important friends are...which makes leaving all the sadder. But maybe God brought me here so that when I move, I won't be hesitant to step out of my shell.

    Then, of course, there's my online friends...

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  6. Friends are such important connections in my life, they are supportive in so many ways as I make my way along this journey. Blog friends, too ... It's an amazing community out there :)

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  7. I have wonderful friends who lift me up, laugh when I laugh and cry when I cry.

    I am blessed.

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  8. I do have supportive friends. It's so nice to know we have each other's back when we need it. :)

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  9. Jill, I'm glad you had friends to help support you during the hectic times this summer! Yes, I don't know what I would do if I didn't have support through the tough times.

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  10. Do I have supportive friends??? What kind of question is that!? : P

    I agree with what's already been said, we need them to survive! Given, now that I'm a freshman in college, I'm not as surrounded by these people. It's scary starting over without your wall around you (neither these friends or your family). It gives you the feeling of being broken down, you know?

    So, yes I do have amazing friends!!! I just don't get to see them as much as I would like to anymore : ( It went from everyday to once a month if we're lucky....I hate that!
    Hannah

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  11. Support from friends is super important, and to also feel like your friends lean on you as well... it has to be a two way street or you start to feel like a needy annoyance!

    After four years of living in Ontario I finally feel at home because we have friends who we can lean on during times of crisis & who we do the same for. Which reminds me even more, home is where your friends and family are.

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  12. I'll be there with bells on. :O)

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  13. I've done my share go splitting up kids when none of them could drive with different parents going in different directions with full cars - or so it at least seemed that way. Life is a bit less hectic now with only 1 non-driver. But, I don't know what I would do without the friends, and how nice it is when the step in to help when you haven't asked, only because they noticed a need you didn't voice. I will try to be by Wednesday. I can't wait to read Jody's book

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  14. And this is why you are all wonderful friends--your comments shine with generosity. Thank you. Thank you for stopping by, friends.

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  15. Friendships enrich our lives, and yes, I have very supportive friends. I hope that I am supportive of them too . . . and I think I am. However,just recently a friend of mine was in the hospital for four days before I found out . . .from another friend. I've talked to her several times since then, but I felt so badly that I hadn't known about her illness. Phone calls, facebook updates, e-mail . . . they are all quick ways that I try to keep in touh with my friends and give them encouragement and support when I can't seem them face to face.

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  16. I saw a quote some place, forget where. Friends are God's way for apologizing for family. (-;

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  17. I have a few awesome, amazing friends that I truly treasure.

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  18. Hi Jill -

    By maintaining those connections and knowing what's happening in other's lives, we're able to respond.

    Friends have brought meals to me and done laundry. When my husband died, two of my friends made themselves available for phone calls 24/7.

    I've been able to return the favor.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  19. Friends are priceless~ treasures from above! I thank God for the people that He has sprinkled in my life.

    I pray to be a the same kind of friend:)

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  20. Friends are priceless~ treasures from above! I thank God for the people that He has sprinkled in my life.

    I pray to be a the same kind of friend:)

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  21. I too am really blessed with great friends, both in real life and online. It is such a great privilege too, because I don't live close to family and there's security there, knowing I can call on my friends who have become like a family.

    Thanks for the good vibes, Jill! I need to remember to thank my friends for always being there for me.

    Have a great night!

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  22. My friends mean the world to me. Without them, I couldn't do everything I need to do as a mom. We're all in it together, and that's how we survive!

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  23. These comments are like little hugs. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing with me.

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  24. Ah, yes. Friends. I have a core group that I go to for everything. Real life things. Online things. Writing things. All of the above. It's nice to have like-minded people to lean on when you need it.

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  25. It is important to take time for our friends in our busy schedules. I need to remember that. I recently heard from a best friend and we are meeting on Friday. Can't wait.

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  26. Friends are so much more than props in a real-life story.

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  27. I'm so thrilled the Lord blessed you with a strong network of friends. I thank God I have people to turn to when the going gets ruff! Hang in there girl!

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  28. Friends=love :) Where would I be without 'em. Friends like you, Jill. You helped me with my synopsis. Remember? :)

    I can't wait for Jody's party. Uh, you are planning on having lots and lots of chocolate, right? Oh, and thanks for the swift kick. I exercised today. You go girl.

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  29. Hey Jill!
    Just wanted to pop back in and say that you have a blog award waiting for you at my blog!!

    hcprojectjournal.blogspot.com

    CONGRATS!!
    *hugs*
    Hannah

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  30. Carpooling friends is a definite must. I've been trying to find Jody's book up here in Canada, but it's sold out. Good sign for her. I guess I need to go to Amazon.

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