No matter what you call them, the people that have been there for you for a lifetime are one of life's best blessings.
But, before we go any further, let's define some of these terms. It helps to make sure we all see things from the same perspective.
Definitions
- Merriam-Webster defines the word "blessing" as "something that provides happiness or does good for a person"
- Urban Dictionary defines "tribe" as "A group of friends that would do anything for each other, at just about any time. Friends that have been together for a decade or a day, but are loyal, loving, honest, and fun-loving. The Tribe consists of people that you expect to grow old together with."
My Story
When I was about 10 years old, a little girl named Vicki became my best friend. And, at around the same time, I flipped to the back of a Tiger Beat magazine and discovered you could send away for a pen pal. That is how I met Amy.In middle school, I expanded my best friend base to include Susan and Doneta, and then Wendy once I reached high school.
These seemingly small decisions have blessed my life in so many ways over the years! These ladies have provided happiness, laughter, comfort and love just when I needed it for over four decades.
As Urban Dictionary defines it, we are most definitely a "tribe"! We would do anything for each other. We have seen each other through weddings, births, deaths, divorces and so much more.
Class Reunion Insights
But, this past weekend, I discovered there was so much more to our friendships than meets the eye. It was class reunion night, and these women friends (and some of our guy friends, too) met for dinner before heading over to the reunion.
We laughed, we hugged, we talked...we had a ball!
In between bites, we surprised each other with little insights that left the others with their jaws hanging open. I mentioned that I enjoyed being Doneta's friend partly, I think, because she was her own person. She didn't care what others thought, and I wished I could be more like her.
The other ladies were shocked, because that was not the person I was in school. I was always concerned about what others thought of me!
Doneta, on the other hand, valued our friendship more than I realized, for the opposite reason. To her, I was the voice of reason and kept her actions reined in more than I knew.
Who would have ever guessed that I was the voice of reason!! LOL
...And this leads me to the whole reason for this post...and that is to fill you in on the 5 Biggest Blessings for you and your tribe.
1. Support, whenever you need it. No matter the time or distance!
2. Insights about you that you'd never even imagine. These friends
know you better than you know yourself.
3. Unflinching honesty. They only want what's best for you, and will
be honest with you for your own benefit.
4. A shorthand that only you and your friends will understand. The
kind where you can just give each other "the look", and a whole
conversation just happened.
5. And, most importantly, to trust each other so thoroughly that you
can just be yourself.
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
It is my hope that you have friends like this! A tribe of friends that provides you with all of these blessings, and so much more!!
The other ladies were shocked, because that was not the person I was in school. I was always concerned about what others thought of me!
Doneta, on the other hand, valued our friendship more than I realized, for the opposite reason. To her, I was the voice of reason and kept her actions reined in more than I knew.
Who would have ever guessed that I was the voice of reason!! LOL
...And this leads me to the whole reason for this post...and that is to fill you in on the 5 Biggest Blessings for you and your tribe.
5 Biggest Blessings for You & Your Tribe
2. Insights about you that you'd never even imagine. These friends
know you better than you know yourself.
3. Unflinching honesty. They only want what's best for you, and will
be honest with you for your own benefit.
4. A shorthand that only you and your friends will understand. The
kind where you can just give each other "the look", and a whole
conversation just happened.
5. And, most importantly, to trust each other so thoroughly that you
can just be yourself.
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
It is my hope that you have friends like this! A tribe of friends that provides you with all of these blessings, and so much more!!
I always admire people who have "tribes". I have a friend who has had a core group of friends since childhood. They have moved away from their hometown. But every year they get together to connect. They have connected in spite of marriages, childbirth, divorces, and death. I have always wished that I had such a group. I have a good group of friends, but none like that.
ReplyDeleteIt is truly a blessing to have such a great tribe, but I know you have one of your own! I hope you consider the hubby and I as part of your tribe. We will always be in your corner!
ReplyDelete