Our Chosen Family

Over the years, I have learned more and more to appreciate the value of friendship. It's absolute and strong and unwavering. I can depend on it and while sometimes it takes a little work to maintain a friendship, the gain is ten-fold the stake.

If I google the word friendship, I'm given synonyms such as;

harmony

accord

understanding

rapport

agreement

intimacy

love

closeness

Each of my friendships possess every one of those attributes. One beautiful thing about friendship, however, is that each relationship has unique qualities. Each of my friends are magnificent in her own way.

I have one friend that knows me more than any other, including all of my insecurities. She loves me for who I am.

I have another whose big laugh is contagious as it fills the room--she is genuine and and incredibly strong.

Then there is that gal who is particular fun to giggle with.

There is one who possess unparalleled patience and is an incredibly passionate mother and wife.

They are all strong and love unconditionally--as family would. We make it a point to show our adoration for one another and I am eternally grateful for each moment I have with them.

I don't tell them enough that I cherish them and am proud to call them my chosen family. 

As previously mentioned, I have been slacking on my blog. I hate that I don't have the time to write something about each and every "Ladies' Night" over the past year. But, as this is the case, here is a recap of the many memories I have recently shared with these amazing women.

Watching football together is always a treat! 

Music often brings us together.

Ping-Pong also brings us together! 

'Merica Ladies' Night--we were just begging for a reason to wear our cowgirl boots and pretend that we are red necks. 

Red Rocks also brings people together. Behind many of these amazing women, is an amazing man. I am also thankful for their friendships.

The only friend I have that gets my ass off of the couch! 

 

Poolside friendship is unparalleled.

Power tools have been known to bring us together as well.

On this day, we came together to support a friend in need.

Friends that watch football together, stay together.
Friendships are especially important when your team isn't very good.

Our CU Family!

Friends are irresponsible together.

Friends taste beer together! 

Unless you can ware sweatpants with them, they aren't friends.

It's also fun to dress up with them.

It's these special moments that make me smile.

Wrapping up the year with a great workout and beautiful scenery. 

 I love my friends. They are near and dear to my heart and I thank God for their presence in my life.

I Choose Love

Lately, it's been difficult to cut through all of the crap on Facebook. I believe that people should stand up for what they are passionate about and should voice their opinions. But, I can't help but think that these opinions are driving us farther and farther apart when we live in a time where we should be uniting. 

In this time of tension and hatred, I've been trying to find kindness and goodness. It's hiding and not always easy to find. But it's there and as I work to catch up on my blog (if that's even possible) I find myself counting my blessings and there are more than I can fathom!

It has been quite some time since I've blogged (about seven months to be exact) and that blog 48 Hours of Unknown was about Abby and our little scare that started as a lump on her foot. I recalled the blog yesterday and realized that I set forth goals that were so easily forgotten. Unfortunately, we need constant reminders on how to live in God's image. Where kindness should prevail, we are plagued with selfishness. When love should conquer all, we become guided by hate. Life is short, and fragile and I don't want to live in a world overwhelmed by this hostility and fear. 

I'm not naive nor am I oblivious to the issues that have engulfed all grace and decency in this world. I see it daily, through multiple channels. Rather I chose not to let these issues guide my beliefs and action towards others. My neighbor may rally behind Trump's policies, but that doesn't mean that he's a bad person just because it conflicts with where my beliefs lie. My friend and I might not be on the same page when it comes to gun laws, but she's still my friend. I may not even see eye-to-eye with my husband, but he's still my husband, companion, and best friend, and I respect his opinion and he, in turn, respects mine. 

If we swore off every family member, friend, and acquaintance because of a disagreement or differing religions, politics, religion, race, or favorite food, we would be very lonely. One thing that makes us human is that we are each our own individual. We were created to be unique to one another and I believe that rather than fearing these differences, we should embrace them. 

You should be passionate about what you believe. You should march in opposition when you want to make a difference. You should express your opinion; you should scream it from atop a mountain if it pleases you. But let's do so with dignity, both towards ourselves and towards one another. Let's bring respect back to humanity. Let's love one another again. 

Throughout the election and beyond inauguration, I keep thinking about my children and the world that surrounds them. I'm deeply saddened by what they see. It's difficult to raise children to be kind to one another when they are surrounded by cruelty. God has blessed children with the gift of ignorance. But, as a mother of two daughters, I wonder what they will see when they grow wiser. 

I pray that those around the world will find a way to love again. We all have one thing in common, and that is that we were all created in God's image. Perhaps if we can cut through the different viewpoints, we can ground ourselves enough to recall this fact and shake hands with our neighbors, not necessarily in agreement with one another, but in respect for one another. Life is so much bigger than all of this opposition, I just pray that we can all come to understand this, even if it takes frequent reminders.

I also pray for a world where my children can be passionate about their beliefs without constant resistance and scrutiny. I pray that they can see their passions lived out and that they are met with respect and admiration. 

The future of humanity is in our hands. Choose compassion, faith, and benevolence. 

Above all, Choose Love.