January - Grayslake Photographer and Writer

The word January comes from the Latin word for door, January is the door to the year.  My break from blogging has brought many things this past month.  First it brought anxiety about not blogging... ha... I've blogged for several years every week and I started to identify myself with this weekly ritual.  The anxiety came and went with the long list of things I wanted to accomplish this month.  I didn't get to everything but I did get to a few of them.  I've started writing every week.  I write about different things; what happened in my day, an interaction I had, random thoughts, and I've even written a poem about my sock... lol! I haven't decided if or how I will share them.  I also participated in the 40 bag challenge, I do plan on sharing my experience with this next week.  Things have shifted in my schedule. My family life has also required some adjusting as my husband is furthering his professional career and I plan to fully support him.  I am excited to share a wonderful 2015 the door is open to new beginnings.

So many things I want to share about my new beginning (January), I'll start with our fun annual girls retreat.

Retreat might not be the best word.  Retreat - definition: withdraw from enemy forces as a result of their superior power.  On second thought it might be the perfect word ;)

The Ward family offered their beautiful lake house to us.  This is a spectacular space!  It even has an elevator that opens up right to the house kind of like in the 80's show Diff'rent Strokes.

 I've mentioned this before but it's worth stating again.  Although, we come from different backgrounds, have different convictions and are currently in different stages.  We've managed to build upon our commonalities as mothers, wives, women and people.

In reality our differences are just at the surface.  When we take time to really look at each other,      we all find oneness.  

All trying our best to live this wonderful life.  

Supporting each other through challenging times, celebrating accomplishments/ new life, and just laughing together.

"The greatest gift of life is friendship and I have received it." H. Humphrey. 

  

Note: I will be moving my weekly blog to Thursday's.  See ya next Thursday my friends! 

Friends - Chicago Area Photojournalist

On Saturday, I caught up with several friends.  I barely give myself time, forget about giving my friends the time they deserve. 

At a high school friends house warming, I caught up with 2 other high school friends and 2 grade school friends.  I laughed so much my mouth was sore when I left.

I had dinner with a college roommate.  She is a SAHM mom too.  We shared our current struggles and triumphs; we also shared our fears and dreams for the future. 

A friend from Nashville just so happened to be visiting Chicago this weekend.  I ventured into the downtown area, even though the news said to stay away because of NATO protester.  I didn't see any protesters just lots of police officers and my sweet friend. We talked for hours.  Our husbands work in the same field and it was nice to talk to someone who understands what challenges it brings for the family.          

I covered a span between 1984-2007 of friends, that's 23 years, in one day.  Can you tell I don't get out much? 

There is no coincidence that this blog is about friendship.  I have been thinking about friendship, what it means and how it has changed over time.  I even read up on the subject of friendship.  One article said there has been a decline in friendship in the U.S. by 23% since 1985.   I also read this, "the conventional wisdom is that good friendships enhance an individuals sense of happiness and overall well-being, but a number of solid studies support the notion that strong social supports improve a woman's prospects for good health and longevity."  I have said that motherhood can be a lonely place but only because I allow it to be.

I have made some really great friends through out the years, across the country. I must admit that the last few years I have become guarded and haven't really made new close friends. 

I love watching my children develop friendships.  They have the attitude of this quote, "Everyone is a friend until they prove otherwise."  I should follow their example.