Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Value of a friend

Ever hear of The Juice on BlogHer? I hadn't until recently when I was contacted and asked to write about this week's topic and offer a special giveaway that ties into it. Basically, The Juice is a group dedicated to focusing on the "good stuff" of life (the "juicy" things, I believe!) and making time for what's important.

The topic this week? Making time for your friends.

Whooo-boy. That's a hard one! With the pace that life can move at, especially when you have children, friendships tend to fall to the wayside on our list of priorities. All of the suggestions in the world of "get out with your girlfriends!" and "treat yourself to a night out!" don't help when life's responsibilities and situations absolutely contradict them. In my own life, my best friends are few but very special. Aside from Patrick, my 2 sisters are the ones I would turn to first if I HAD the opportunity to go out and have "girl time." Who else would I want to cultivate a relationship with more than the sisters that have been and will be my friends no matter where life takes us? My sisters are the ones I talk to daily on the phone. They are the ones who carry me through the boredom of yet ANOTHER pile of laundry. They are the ones I would drop everything for to help in a heartbeat.

I also consider myself extremely lucky to still be in contact with 2 friends from high school. Though they have moved to states filled with drawls and dry counties (Yes! Those places still exist!!), I still love them dearly. Whenever we do get a chance to talk, it always feels as though no time has passed. While the distance impedes my abilities to physically jump to their aid, I am always available for a lengthy phone conversation or flurry of emails, if ever their need is great.

So, where does that leave me? How can I fit into the category of "someone who makes time for friends?" Well, my friends, we haven't counted in the friendships I have found and grown through this blog. Though I don't know many of you in any form other than the written word and a few snapshots, I am able to devote more of my focused attention here than I can in any physical friendship. My "Internets" fill in the gap left by my dispersed friends and busy sisters. I value everyone who has ever commented a kind word on my blog...

THAT SAID, I surely do hope you have at least 1 good friend (or sister!) close to your home. Someone who CAN physically hug you when you get a bad haircut, or laugh so hard with that you pee your pants (darn these diminished pelvic floor muscles! Cursed childbirth!!).

I hope you can share this giveaway gift from Tropicana of a gift basket full of everything you need for a "girl's night in." The basket includes:

~ Ghost Special Collector's Edition, You've Got Mail, Must Love Dogs, Pretty Woman, The Bodyguard DVDs
~ Candle
~ Snacks
~ Candy
~ T-shirt
~ Other fun goodies (don't you just wonder what those "other fun goodies" are?)


For everyone who enters (or doesn't!) Tropicana is also providing a $1.00 off coupon on their site for their Trop50 (a new orange juice blend with 50% less calories and sugar).

So enter away! I'll pick the winner on Tuesday, June 16.

And thanks to everyone who has become my friend... :)

13 comments:

OHmommy said...

LOL I just wrote about friends on my blog today. I have no friends for the youngest... and often find myself lonely during the day.

Mom24 said...

Very fun. I'm really struggling with what it means to have a friend, and if who I would consider my best friend really is one. *sigh*

This would cheer me up though...at least a little. ;-)

CharityVL said...

I really liked this because while I have friends, my best friend is my husband, which is awesome, but sometimes I think a grils' night out would be fun. Hard to find a balance between mommyhood and free time for mommy. Thanks for your comment on my blog the other day. It truly helps to know other moms feel the same way!

Kristin said...

I was thinking about this very topic recently. I used to have so many friends and no I have difficulty naming 5. The ones that I do have are the greatest so I am thankful to them. My blogging friends are great. I "see" you guys more then the friends I see in real life and often you know my true feeling better since I don't have to over think my words in order to not offend. Thanks to all my friends.

Justin & Kristin said...

Yes to girls night!!! Once again thank you for a fun give away.

Would-Be Bonus Mom said...

In spite of all the technology to keep in touch (crackberrys, facebook, twitter) it's so easy to do these days especially. Between all the time spent working and commuting and trying to remember to do everything and then doing everything ... it's no wonder it happens. Girls night in is def. more my speed. What a cute giveaway! :)

Tiffani said...

I could definitely invite some girlfriends over and partake in a little sentimental mush (as my husband calls it). We need that sometimes!!!

tifg45@excite.com

L~ said...

it has taken some time, but I have established, re-established, an old friendship over the past few years. Completely separate from my kids. Now, since our kids are older, we can get together and chat a little while the kids run wild in the yard. Everyone needs a friend. Especially one they can trust with their secrets!! :) It takes work, when we are all so busy, but it's worth it!!

pattyandthemoos said...

It is so funny that you post this. I really struggle with this. I have one good friend and she lives on the other side of the country. I really don't have any real life friends close to me, mostly because I am just too busy for real friends. I have online friends and it is hard for me to stay connected with them as much as I would like.

I think you are right though. You should make some time in your life for your friend and really enjoy life more in generally. I find myself getting too busy trying to get things done.

This was a really great post and a really great topic.

Kristi said...

What a great giveaway. I met my closest and best friend in the world in first grade, 27 years ago. We went to the same Catholic grammar school and HS together. Then we went to college together, roomed together, and then moved into apartments on the same street. We now live in homes in the same neighborhood, just a street apart from eachother. I'm fortunate in that I get to see her all the time, and while the time is not always a "girl's night out" (more like she comes over to my house to help manage my brood) I feel so fortunate that our bond has been so strong for so long. Girlfriends are important!

Jory Des Jardins said...

T, that pic of you and your daughter is priceless! I'm so glad you've helped us kick this off. It's great to have these conversations--when do we ever sit down and ponder how badly we need our friends, or developed Kegels? Loving this contribution and so will the BlogHers at the conference.

Tara said...

What a nice giveaway!!! Fun times with friends is always important!

Dana said...

I wish I had more girlfriends in the area. I've got a couple but they're in totally different spots in their lives. No kids, just married....it's hard to stay connected but I do my best!

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