4/28/09

A very special friend

Sometimes in life we are blessed with someone special entering our lives, we find an immediate bond with them and a great friendship is born. I have been blessed like this a handful of times in my life, I have many really good friends, but only a few that fit this description.

One of the hazards of moving continents is you leave friends behind and however hard you try, it's impossible to keep up the same level of contact. Such was the case when I left my bestfriend behind in England, we had been so close for 27 years and I knew she'd be impossible to replace.

But then another friend here introduced me to Judy, and suddenly I found a female friend who filled the big hole left by Gill. Of course you cannot replace a friend who's known everything about your life for 30 years, those memories are long! But it's fun starting over with someone else, who you just know will still be a very close friend 30 years from now.

Judy is the only female friend here I can say anything to and not shock, she just raises an eyebrow at me and gives me her 'look' if the 'F' word accidentally slips out, where as others visibly disapprove/recoil. We can share a look and know what the other is thinking, an invaluable asset at times. We have the same sense of humour, can talk for hours about girly stuff, both adore make-up, jewelry, shoes, clothes, magazines and have very similar taste. We also share the same longing to be skinnier and fitter, have similar thyroid issues, and we can shop contentedly together.

Now unless you're a woman you might not understand that last one, or how crucial being able to shop together is to a friendship. There are some women in my life I love, but no way can I shop with them, we just shop too differently. I know what I like and suits me, so I can't spend hours just browsing and I really can't stand indecision. Judy is the same and so shopping together is a pleasure, plus we give each other total honesty with no fear of upsetting feelings.

We happen to work together; Judy is a wonderful 1st grade teacher and so we can watch out for each other even when having a stressful day. She is someone I can share every emotion with, a rare thing for me as I hide my emotions alot, but she's had me arrive on her doorstep in tears and just been there to listen. It also just happens that our Hubsters have developed a great friendship and so we do alot as couples, including our Wii nights!

And as all close friends should, we have a secret or two and we also have a funny story, ours involves a big red bow!

Today Judy is celebrating a milestone birthday and because I'm a good friend I'm not sharing which one. But I wanted to wish her a Happy Birthday, let her know how thankful I am to have her in my life and how highly I value her friendship. And to thank her for being so willing to take on this unknown and sometimes misunderstood 'alien'!

"Happy Birthday Judy"

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aren't you the lucky one to have 2 great friends like Gill and Judy! Friends like that come along usually once in a lifetime. You've been blessed.

Happy birthday Judy - have a wonderful day!

CJ said...

Aww so sweet!!Good friends are so hard to find.You are lucky you have two of them!!great going!!

Happy B'day to Judy!

Jill of All Trades said...

How very blessed you are to have you friends. It's so nice to have that special one to be totally open and honest with. I miss that. Happy Birthday Judy, friend of Sarah.

Girl Tornado said...

What a lovely blog tribute to your friend. I have yet to find a good friend since my move to Kansas... I think once I get back into the working world, I may finally find that special someone! I do miss all my wonderful GFs back in Ohio, a few more than other. :)

Missy said...

So know what you mean about the shopping thing. I have a couple friends I love to death but they cannot shop without calling their husband before they buy anything-drives me insane, plus every other word is, "I wonder what (husband) would thing about this." Ugh! Also, you reminded me to have our friends over for that Wii night we keep talking about!

TexasRed said...

Sounds like a wonderful friend!

Happy Birthday, Judy!

Gaelyn said...

You are so right about the importance of having a great friend. Which seem to be few and far between. And people do shop different. Something I look for for sure. People also travel different, most important to me.
A HUGE Happy Birthday to Judy!
You are one lucky lady Sarah.

Sherri said...

Sarah, that is such a nice tribute to both of your friends, Gill and Judy! They are lucky people to know you!! Happy Birthday Judy!

Daryl said...

Happiest of birthdays to Judy ..

Its something all women need ... a totally understanding supportive friend. Yeah!

Back from holiday, trying to catch up ...

Expat mum said...

What a nice post!

Diane said...

What a beautiful tribute to your friend. You are truly a blessed woman.

Linda Jennings said...

This is a lovely post! So glad you found a good American friend. Happy Milestone Birthday to Jucy!

Vickie said...

You are blessed indeed.

Pam said...

Awww, she is lovely! Very happy bday indeed. I know what you mean about shopping together ... that takes a special relationship that even a spouse might not have!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Friends are what life is all about. Happy Birthday to Judy.

Winifred said...

You're so lucky. She looks really nice too. Hope she had a lovely birthday whichever one it was.