Friends Along the Journey

From the beginning of the journey our Hero is fortunate to be supported by many friends and mentors along his path. It is through this support he finds the strength and will to continue along the road before him. Would Julia Robert's character in Runaway Bride ever have made it to the altar without the support of her friends? Those who believe she can do it, even as she walking out of the church?

The support of friends has played a huge role in my recovery. From people I've known more than 20 years to those I've met in the last five through work, and then there are others I've met even more recently. This week I received a post card from Lisa -- who manages to find the coolest retro looking cards, a card from the Southville church, and a box of goodies from my friends in the Framingham office.

It would take far too long to list all the goodies in the box, but let's just say I'll have plenty to read, movies to watch when I'm tired of reading, lotions and goodies to make my skin feel great, and on those days when I can't remember anything, I now have a neat little notebook in which to jot down thoughts.

I met Kelly, Marion and Kelly's sister Andrea at the movies last night where Kelly handed off the box; I believe it arrived at the office last week and with all the excitement over the weekend she forgot to give it to me then. The girls insisted I open it there, beside her van, in the parking lot, under the streetlight. I love opening gifts so I was happy to oblige. Someone (Rita?) had taken the time to make labels for many of the bags -- "books", "lotions", "charms" -- and everything was wrapped in cheerful coloured tissue. It wasn't until I got home and was showing Rob the box that I found the cards and the crystal charm which were hidden in some of the tissue.

The cards and messages contained therein continue to remind me that people see me as courageous, inspirational, optimistic and strong. It reminds me of those questionnaires we sometimes are asked to complete -- how you see yourself and how others see you. Sitting where I sit, it is simply taking one day at a time, mixed with a healthy dose of stubbornness (those of you who work with me, you need to watch out for the latter). Is it truly courage when you just don't know how to back down?

The card picked out by Francine is truly in line with the analogy of the journey I've been taking and I want to share the words written within. The cards are from the line "The Faerie Journals" and have a beautiful image on the front. This is the verse:

Shelsea -- "Finder of the Lost"

Humans must cross the sometimes turbulent waters of experience. Shelsea wants us to know she is near to guide us and that the universe challenges us in order to give us the opportunity to discover how powerful we really are. All the courage and all the wisdom you'll ever need you already have in your heart.

I think we all have strength and courage within us, but it isn't until we face adversity, until we are truly tested that we can know how deep these traits go. It isn't until we're supported by friends, that we find we can go deeper and find more of what we need to continue -- be it laughter or hope or faith or wisdom or courage. With friends at our side nothing is insurmountable...not even cancer. Thank you again to all of my friends who have shadowed me throughout this journey.