The Support We All Need (also, some winners!)

I’ve done several contests lately. It’s because I have all this awesome stuff and am kind of dying to start sharing it. I suppose I should save some of it for the upcoming launch month and all that, but, uh, that’s two weeks away. And I have winners now! To that end, the winners of last week’s drawing are… drumroll…

Descendant swag pack:                Karlene Browning

Swag pack #2                              Roberta Hulse

Descendant e-book:                     Donna Nolan

Congratulations ladies! I’ll contact you this week for mailing addresses and all those details.

Also, last week I failed to mention that I am about to send out the bookmarks from the previous contest (which have been packaged and almost ready for several days).  I cannot get used to having our local post office close earlier than most. So if you’re wondering where those are, um, yeah. They’re still coming.  

               

On another subject, I’ve been thinking a lot about support. We all have people we depend on, who support us through…well, life. Good times (like launching a new book) and tragedy (horrible accidents/illnesses/disasters), our emotional ups and downs, and also, our in-between blahs.

(You know what those are, right? Those times when you’re not really up, and not really down, and you’re sort of spinning around and around and not going anywhere, and you need someone to give you a little shove and tell you to do something, and maybe give you advice on what kind of something.)

We all need these people in our lives. We need people who cheer for us and mourn with us and kick us in the behind. Ironically, the people who manage to show up for our moments might not be the ones we expect. Sometimes we’re hurt by those who choose not to show up, and other times we’re surprised by those we didn’t expect who do show up. But when all is said and done, we realize that despite everything else, and in spite of all outside circumstances and choices, those people who are there for our moments—they’re the people we most need to have with us at that given time.

Maybe they have a lesson to teach or a message to share, or maybe they are a better friend than you ever realized. Or maybe a little voice whispered in their ear and made them think of you—and then they listened.

We can never really predict these things, and that’s okay. So maybe we should learn to hold onto the sweet, let go of the bitter, and fully enjoy the miracle that occurs anytime someone graciously offers the gift of their support.

And this week I am so, so grateful, to everyone who has been a part of my miraculous journey. Thanks for supporting me by reading! 

When You Think You Stand Alone

Remember when you were in high school and there was that one group of popular kids? Remember wanting so badly to just be accepted, or to fit in, but feeling like every time you tried, you fell flat on your face?

That feeling of standing alone in a crowded room, screaming, while the world ignores you—it happens to adults, too. I was reminded of this last week when talking to a friend who’d experienced a similar thing in a working-environment. The difference, I think, is that as teenagers, we don’t have the same understanding of the world as the adult versions of ourselves. This makes it both better, and worse.

Better, because usually our adult selves have other people in our lives. People who love us and who depend on us and who are there to make sure our world continues turning. We have that knowledge somewhere in our mind (however deep it’s buried) that we are all people. And people are complex, with insecurities and self-confidence issues, and fear of the unknown.

But it’s worse as an adult because no one—no matter our age—wants to be thrown into a time-warp and sent back to high school. No one.

Here’s the thing. That clique? The so-called “cool kids club”? It’s not really all it’s cracked up to be. It’s fueled by drama, angst, pain, fear—and very, very rarely by joy. Because the people who feel true joy are the people who don’t feel the need to gather their friends into a group and hold tight to the boundaries. People who feel joy are the people who want to share that joy with everyone. People who have true self confidence don’t feel the need to cut others down or stomp on their opinions or words or work or thoughts. People who feel true joy are the people who are a joy to be around.

And those people attract others who know how to find joy. That particular group grows so fast that it ceases to be a group, and tends to be a whole lot of individuals just being friends. Those friends, being individuals, never have to stand alone because they stand for something much, much bigger. An equality of living and a sharing of life, love, happiness, and friendship.

Those individuals will always attract others, and because of that, there is no high-school-themed-clique-style-drama required.

My point is, just be yourself. The best self you can be. And you will never have to stand alone. Unless there are zombies coming. Then you better learn to run fast. 

One of the Herd: Post 2

So, Wednesday, I told you about my drive up a canyon and my thought process. (To catch up on that, scroll to the post just previous to this one.)  I was thinking about all of those things, still driving, and then, I saw this: (And I apologize in advance for the blurry pictures--they were taken in motion.)

Some beautiful deer, waiting to cross the road.

A few minutes later, I also saw this:

Other herd members, waiting for their friends to cross over.

I read somewhere that deer are symbolic for an impending or upcoming journey. And I would like to point out how many deer there are in this next picture.

The rest of the herd, braving the wild TOGETHER. 

A lot, right?

So I have developed a theory. I think that all those deer are a sign that I will not be taking any of these journeys alone. That, in fact, I will be joined by a number of talented people who will mean something in my life and/or career, or will at least join me in braving the wild.  

The truth is that I have no idea what is coming tomorrow. For me, or for my family or friends, or anyone else. But I do know this. Everywhere I look, big things are happening for those who are strong enough, resilient enough, tough enough to fight for them. The journey is calling, the road is open, and there is no limit to possibility.

The only question left to ask is who will be joining the herd? 

WorldCON: International Friendships

I know. You’re probably getting sick of hearing about WorldCON about now. I don’t blame you. If you weren’t there, it’s hard to be excited about it. But I learned a lot of stuff, stuff that made me think.

You know what happens when I get thinking. I blog.

But I promise, this is my last post about WorldCON. At least, for this year. I can’t make any promises in the future.

Thing is, today I’m thinking about all my many new friends. It’s not like I haven’t had friends in other countries before. I have. I do. But I feel like my network of writer/fan friends has been extended exponentially. Ireland, England, New Zealand, Belgium, Austria—about every state in the US—the list is huge.

When I think of those countries, I automatically think of faces, names, real-life people who mean something to me, who spark memories and share common ground. People with whom I’ve made a connection. Even if I don’t remember all their names off the top of my head, I would remember their faces and where I was when I met them. Each of these people has enriched my life in one way or another, and I hope I have somehow enriched theirs as well.

So my thought for the day is this. Remember. Pay attention. Be in the moment. It’s a small world. No matter where someone is from, it’s entirely possible you’ll run into them again sometime. It happens to me regularly.

And I am always so glad when it does.

No Two Friends Alike

I’ve been thinking this week about friendship and all its different forms.

I used to think all our friends fall into different categories and sub categories, kind of like books and genres. We might have best friends with whom we share everything, who we don’t always spend a lot of time with (but sometimes do), but who we know we can always count on unconditionally.

Then we might have close friends, who are just a little different than best friends in that they know a lot about us and we know a lot about them, and we probably spend a lot of time together (or at least talking or emailing, or whatever) but with whom we also have boundaries.

Then there are regular friends we like to see, love to spend time with and visit, but who don’t really know us like our close or best friends do. And vice versa.

Below that, we have acquaintances, who we know, who we enjoy seeing and talking to and getting to know better, but who aren’t the first people we think of when someone mentions the word friend.

Theoretically, that list sounds like a good way to classify the non-family people in our lives. Then logically, we have all kinds of sub groups, and sometimes it takes some work to figure out who belongs where in the file-folders of your heart.

Except I’ve recently discovered one problem to this way of thinking. People don’t always fit in file folders. We are emotional, and illogical, and commonsensical—but not. We are dreamers, and thinkers, and feelers whose moods and situations and family and jobs all affect who we are and why we love them or why they love you.

There is no safe way to categorize a friendship. So the best thing you can do is to stop trying and just let the people in your life be who they are and love them while you can. And if the day comes when you’re not as close as you once were, feel lucky that you had as much time as you did and be grateful to them for that time. Or maybe you’re closer than before. In that case, feel lucky for that.

Some friendships are worth fighting to keep, and sometimes we’re better off letting go and moving on. It’s all about what’s most healthy for both people involved. Just as love is a gift, so is friendship. And everyone appreciates it differently.

And people, I’m so grateful for all my amazing friends—no matter what category in which they fit. Or not.

Totally Random-ish Thoughts: Friendship

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about friendship, and all the varieties and types of relationships that exist among friends. I could go off on how important it is to be a true friend who is always there and whose dedication is unconditional. And yes, having friends like that (and being one) is really important. (Believe me, it’s important. I wouldn’t know how to survive without certain people in my life.)

But I think it’s also important to have seasonal friends. You know which ones they are. They are really fun to know, and you spend some time with them, and you enjoy being around them. But when you really look, you realize they aren’t high on your priority list.

Then there are other friends who serve a purpose. Not people you’re using (because that sounds awful, and even if it’s true on some level, it’s not intentional) but who are there and kind of hold your hand and help you traverse certain roads that lead to career, or religion, or relationships, or whatever. If you move away, or change jobs or career paths or something, you might keep track of them on FB or Twitter, but you won’t go to great lengths to hang out.

It’s sometimes hard to know which role is being played by which person at any given time, but I realize it doesn’t matter. As time passes and life changes and people grow older, or closer, or apart—the most important ones stick around, the less important ones drift away, and the purposeful ones fulfill their mission in your life, and then you all go on your merry way.

Regardless of which type of friend a person is, though, I think they always deserve the most and the best you can give of yourself. Because people come into your life for a reason. We almost never know what that reason is, and if we were to try and guess, we’d most likely be way off. So maybe it’s just better to accept that they’re supposed to be there, give our all into our different brands of relationships, and learn from everyone we meet.

Because relationships of all kinds are the stuff of real life and fiction and everything in between.

And that, my friends, is totally random thought Wednesday!

I'm Back! (And a Few Things I Learned in Mexico.)

Well, sort of back. I'm  home, but not at all caught up on everything I've missed. I haven't even written my blogs for the rest of this week yet.


*Gasps*

 I even thought I did today's blog in advance, but when I checked, there wasn't one. So. Yeah. My bad.

But I did learn some stuff while I was gone, and I think I'll share them with you.

1. The current exchange rate between the Mexican Pesos and the American dollar is 12.5-$1

2. Wicker furniture is much heavier than it looks, and probably not meant to be taken outside for sleep-outs under the stars. Probably.

3. When five women go anywhere together, people take notice. It doesn't matter if you forewarned them or were accidentally way-laid due to airline misahps. They see. They remember. They take note. As in, "Oh yeah, you're the five." (Everywhere we went.)

4. Factor 15 sunscreen is not nearly strong enough, even if you reapply twice in a day. And red is not a very becoming color on me.

5. Sand dollars are extremely hard to find, but dead blow fish are everywhere. At least, in Mazatlan.

6. Just when you think you'll never see these people again, someone who knows someone you know shows up and shatters that thought to bits. As in, "I saw your wife and some other women booking it through the Houston airport, pulling pink suitcases, and wearing sandals. Very entertaining. Quite comical. Did they actually make it?" (Missed it by eight minutes, dude. Doh!)

7. Telling a Mexican merchant you're not going to buy something sparkly is like issuing a challenge, which might result in a standoff that ends in the use of a credit card or the rest of your cash.

8. Even in Mexico, when you tell people you're from Utah, they have to ask, "So, is this a sister-wives trip?" or "Do you all have the same husband?" And man, they're serious. (REALLY? We're really good friends, but not that kind of good.)

9. Just because the cell phone company offers you an international plan doesn't mean you'll actually get a signal where you're going.

10. When you end up stranded overnight in a city you didn't plan on visiting, with no luggage, Continental airlines gives you a little bag with a toothbrush, comb, and deodorant. "Thanks for flying with us. Please accept this valuable gift in lieu of a missed day at the beach. We hope you'll fly again soon!"

Yeah, I'm sure there's more. But it's way past my bed time. Hopefully, I'll be back on track by Wednesday. Good to see you all, my friends!

Sometimes, the Cup is Half Full --Things I love, Day 1

Last year, my friend Christine  hosted a February challenge, which required participants to blog daily about something they love. She didn't do it again this year, but I've decided that since this really is the month of love, I'd like to do something similar. Starting today, and going until Valentines day, I'm going to blog about things I love. Forgive me if I gush a bit.

So, things I love, day one: The Girls

Every once in a while, I get to feeling sorry for myself. I feel stress of one kind or another and let it get under my skin until it burns a hole in me. Sadly, this occasionally happens with small stuff that doesn't really matter. Stuff that takes very little to fix.

That's partly why I have my convertible. Even when it's cold outside, as long as the sun is out, I can put the top down and go for a drive--even if it's just to a convenience store to get a Dr. Pepper--and the small stuff, the stupid stuff, doesn't bother me so much. During the winter, this is harder to do, so the small stuff has more of a chance to build up into medium-sized stuff before I'm able to shuck it off.

This is where my girls come in. And by my girls, I don't mean my daughters (though, they are--technically--my girls, too). I have this incredible, amazing, and fantastic group of friends. Pretty sure I've mentioned them before, actually. We get together once a month--sometimes more. During our time together, we are able to be ourselves. Not the mom, the wife, the taxi driver, the cook, the maid, the sports-coach, the hairdresser, the seamstress, or the all around go-to person--OURSELVES.

I love these women like sisters. They're good for me. When we get together, I'm able to completely forget the things that bother me and smile, say what's on my mind, and roll around on the floor laughing until I've cried all my makeup off and left a puddle on the carpet. And the best part is when this happens, I'm never alone. We're all there, laughing together. (There's a thing about crying and stressing and worrying together too, but I'm not going there today.)

The girls and I spent this weekend away, and I find myself feeling infinitely lucky to have such incredible women in my life. Each of us needed the break for different reasons, but all of the issues are things that can be overcome with love, time, and strength. That's the thing--we help each other be stronger so that over time, love is able to cover-over hurt, help us overcome stress.

One of my friends has a family member who is a breast cancer survivor, so of course, mammograms occasionally come up in our topics of conversation. Long story short--in the world of a breast cancer survivor, having your "cup" be half full--well, it means you've lived through some frightening, life-altering stuff and still come out on top. (BTW, we made that term up--but it does make sense, right?)In this case, having a cup be full would mean certain death.

Today, I've decided this is my new motto. Well, that and something about karma--but that's another topic altogether.

But wait--if you showed up at AuthorPalooza yesterday, you're doubting the truth of my weekend away! Alas, some important things have been known to drag us away from the party--temporarily. Which is what happened to me yesterday. And it was a great event, put on by an incredible store manager, with bunches of super-uber-talented authors, so it was worth the break. But I went back where I needed to be, with women who mean a whole bunch to me.

And today, my half-full cup runneth over.

**More about Author Palooza (inc pictures) later.

The Let's Be Friends Award

Oh my goodness. After a day that was busy in the extreme, I finally sat down to check my email. Lo and behold, my good friend Joyce DiPastena had sent me a sweet email informing me that she has just awarded me a "Let's Be Friends Award."

That made me smile. It also made my day.

So, I clicked the link and visited her blog to read more. Here's what I learned:

"Blogs that receive the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers."

Let me first just say that I am completely flattered, and truly honored to have been given such a thoughtful gift. Thank you, Joyce. I'm so glad to have you as a friend.

Now to pass the honor on. I'm going to follow Joyce's example and give the award to my most diligent commenters:

Cindy Beck

L.T. Elliott

Connie Hall

Danyelle Ferguson

Rachelle Christensen

Christine Bryant

Ali Cross

David J. West

Thank you all, for being good friends who support me in my writing journey by actually reading what I have to say--and then leaving comments so I know you were here. There is nothing more gratifying to a writer than to have little reminders that someone is reading their words. But then, you all know that, don't you?

May Writing Challenge: An Influential Woman (or a few)

By Nichole Giles

My friend Christine is brilliant. Every month she issues killer writing challenges that not only help hone our skills as writers, but make us reach down inside ourselves to scrape the feelings embedded in our hearts.

This month, the challenge is especially hard because I’m supposed to write about a woman who has affected my life for the better—or who has greatly influenced me—but who is not related to me by adoption or blood. Meaning I am not allowed to write about my mother, stepmother, grandmothers, sisters, daughters or…any of the many women who are most prominent in my life.

I considered not taking the challenge because, if I can’t write about those people who will I write about? But then I got thinking. (That’ll do it every time!) There are so many women in my life, I could write hundreds of thousands of words and still not cover all of them. The trouble choosing which one to write about.

Last week, I posted an article about friendship, and mentioned a group of women friends who keep me going through life—and have done so for thirteen years or more. These women are an important part of my life, and I love them as sisters. I look forward to our monthly nights out the way I look forward to holidays. And our weekends away…well, something not to be missed!

Each of these women has a different personality, a different life situation, and a different background. Our differences, as much as our similarities, keep us close.

For instance, I know that Jennifer will offer me a remedy when I’m sick, worry about me when I’m hurt, or pick up my kids in an emergency. She’s also an expert listener. Lori, on the other hand, will drop whatever she’s doing to go to a movie with me, will offer sympathy when life throws me a curveball, and offer her wisdom and experience. Tiffany will listen, offer insightful advice, has a mountain of patience, and is quick to read whatever I send her (which is important to an aspiring author). Raylene is the idea woman who always has a recipe, a brilliant party idea, and keeps us laughing no matter what’s going on in my life or hers. Mitzi is a warm shoulder, and a woman who has shown me that it is possible to start over again when things are worse than you ever thought life could be.

But if you’re a regular reader, you know all of that from my recent blog, Buckets of Friends.

So I’ve decided today to blog about some other women in my life—ones I have contact with every day and who have cheered me when I’m down, lifted me to greater heights, and encouraged me in my writing. These women have been there to point out my minor type-o’s, my major plot problems, misspellings, repetition, formatting issues, and about every other problem a writer can face. Not to mention rejections.

They’ve worried about me when I’m off-line for a long period of time, they know the names of my children, my husband, my dogs—they know the names of all my main characters, where I’ve been published, and what I’m marketing now. They’ve read all my work—even short articles and blogs—and always offer assistance whenever I need it.

It’s possible that without these women I might someday be a good writer—someday far in the future. But because of them, and with their help, I’ve progressed exponentially. And yes, I have been published—thanks to their unfailing help.

I owe a debt of gratitude to Cindy Beck, Connie Hall, Rachelle Christensen, Tristi Pinkston, Heather Justesen, Kim Thompson, Christine Bryant, Danyelle Ferguson, Ali Cross, and Karen Hoover.

There are more, many more, but these are the women I depend on regularly. Who I have contact daily or weekly, and I’d like to honor them.

Thanks, ladies! You’re the best.

Check out this music video—this one’s for all of you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MJwdY6Y0Hw

Buckets of Friends

By Nichole Giles

Sixteen years ago, at eighteen years old, I got married. Four children, a mortgage, two dogs, and an entire lifetime later, I sometimes wonder how I survive. My husband is an amazing man and my best friend, but there are certain roles in life a man can’t fill, no matter how hard he tries.

Women are usually the glue that holds everything together, the very rock and foundation upon which our families are built. Whatever other project we take on, whatever job we work, whatever career path we choose—including that of household CEO—we are first and foremost wife, mother, sister, daughter, and the center of our homes.

That mountain of responsibility may be what we do, but it is not who we are. Or, at least, it shouldn’t be. After all my years of marriage, I’ve come to understand the importance of friendship, and the women who’ve filled that role for me. They’ve been my support, my iron tower, my light in a dark room, and my source of laughter through hard times. They will ever continue to be my sanity.

Every one of my friends has a different story and a different personality. I love them for our similarities as well as our differences, and because of that, I need them individually and as groups. They fall somewhere between a guiding light and a survival drug.

When I stop to think about it, I realize how many buckets I have dipped into this well of support, and how important each bucket is in the shaping of my life, and my individual self.

For instance, I’m part of a group of six women who—for 12 years and counting—get together once a month for a girl’s night out. It started out as a female support group that has grown, and shrunk, and then evolved from acquaintances that enjoyed having a night away from our families, into a group of friends that share unbreakable bonds, each one contributing to the personal survival of the others. For example, two years ago I got a heart-wrenching phone call. Jen was on the other end of the line, her voice fraught with grief. Raylene’s husband, Jeff—who was serving in Afghanistan—had been injured in a suicide bombing attack. His hands and face severely burned by the blast, Jeff was being flown by medical helicopter to a hospital in Germany.

My heart sank. “Is he alive?” I croaked through the lump in my throat.

“For now,” Jen said.

She called the rest of our group, and as we were able, the five of us made our way to Raylene’s house, offering what little support we could while she waited for more information. Our group has grown to truly value each other’s friendship as an integral part of our lives.

Another good example is Tova, who I meet once a month for lunch, and who is such a unique individual that she inspires me to stretch my arms and reach higher for the power within myself. She reminds me regularly that it’s okay to be an observer, an artist, and a powerful, fabulous woman. I don’t know what I’d do without her, either.

I’d think bonds like this were unusual, except for movies like, “The Women” and “Steel Magnolias” and the long list of books that I won’t even attempt to list. Still, movies and books aren’t always based on reality, so I decided to ask a few other women about the roles their girlfriends play in the movies that are their lives.

“I would be insane without my girlfriends!” says Kellie. “My children would be mistreated and I’d be divorced for the second time without the women in my life. We need each other for support. I have just a few friends but they are my very close friends and I love them. We talk about everything. We move each other to different houses. We go to each other’s birthday parties. Our children are friends with each other. When life goes south, I know I can talk to any of my friends and they will listen, try and help, and give me that pat on the back that tells me, ‘you will get through this.’”

“I reach out to other woman for several reasons,” adds Lori. “Women have compassion and it's easy to confide in other women, especially those with whom we have built a level of trust. They’re skilled at listening and able to offer suggestions for things that have worked for them or to advise on the things that haven’t.”

“Women have a unique way of making other women feel valued,” Lori continues. “Even if we’re struggling or have failed at something. We have a common thread as we’re typically going through the same issues and challenges in our lives.”

Raylene had a similar response. “It’s essential to seek the listening ear of a girlfriend, because women get it. They can relate because they have the same emotions. We all want to save our relationships, our children and the world. No one gets that but other women.”

Besides being there as support during times of challenge and trial, women are able to fill a variety of roles for each other, roles that the men in their lives cannot fill.

“Other moms know the responsibility that only we mothers have,” says Kellie. “We know when one of us needs a night out, and then we make plans and do our best to keep them. When one of us gets pregnant, we’re there with gifts and congratulations (or condolences,) and when she becomes an ornery pregnant friend, we roll our eyes and remember that we’ve been there.”

Raylene points out, “The deep relationships we form with one another get us through the best and the worst times. Women are much more excited, sympathetic, empathetic and understanding when it comes to the birth of a baby, graduations, death of a loved one, an illness, divorce, complicated relationships and everything else you can think of. Most of the time a deep conversation with a girlfriend results in a better relationship with that person.”

Raylene continues, smiling wickedly, “Having the same conversation with a man usually does little to improve that relationship. Not because men love us less, but because men communicate differently than women.”

We all agree that time spent with our friends is unlike time with spouses and children. These are the moments when we don’t have to worry about being the mother or the wife, and are instead able to be individual women with our own identities. Our other relationships are stronger because they reflect this valuable piece of ourselves we might not otherwise have.

“I feel like all week long my battery is worn down,” admits Lori. “I’m recharged when I’m able to spend time with friends. I know they love me, I know they care about me, and I know they will laugh when I laugh and cry when I cry. I know that unfailingly I can go, and my friends will accept me no matter what. Sometimes that’s through a simple piece of advice or sometimes it's the hug at the end of the visit or the warm welcome when I first walk in. Regardless of what that ‘thing’ is, it is offered up when you need it the most because women just know.”

“It takes a strong woman to be friends with me,” stresses Kellie. “I get a little pushy and mouthy, but I cherish my friends. Anyone who doesn’t have close girlfriends is missing out on one of the greatest blessings in life.”

Not long after Jeff was injured, the girls and I convened at a nearby TGI Fridays to celebrate Raylene’s twentieth wedding anniversary. Obviously, Jeff couldn’t be there, and Raylene gave us the highest honor of friendship in sharing her anniversary with us. That night we skipped dinner and went straight from appetizers to desert. It’s one of the little things that let us pretend we’re young again, and that life is only as complicated as eating dinner before desert.

“Girlfriends can share in your burdens and make you laugh,” says Raylene. “A night out with them is always the perfect medicine to get you up and going again, giving you courage and also some relief in knowing that they will be there when you need them (again) and you will be there when they need you.”

Lori’s final comment sums it up best. “I’m a better person for my friends. They allow me to let go, let loose, and to be me. In this crazy world of trying to be the best at everything, it's great to have a place to go to where it's okay just to be Lori and not worry about trying to be super-mom, super-spouse, super-employee, super-everything.”

I agree, women save the day. Because of my girlfriends I’m able to survive the conundrum of life, and when my daughters are old enough, I plan to pass this knowledge to them. As they grow up and become women, I have no doubt that they too, will come to understand the power of friendship.

Lucky Days Quotes

A best friend is like a four leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have.

~Author Unknown