Friends

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Vegan cinnamon and peach pancakes.  Yup, I say, that's what I want.  

"I'm craving pancakes, I've been thinking about them since yesterday." says Marlene. 

 "Me too!!!" I reply.

 I almost was just going to go into the restaurant by myself and order a full stack of pancakes, but I figured she was running late. Left my phone at home and had no idea that she was just tied up because a friend of hers had no babysitter and needed her to watch her 1 year old little girl.  

My baby girl on the other hand was getting pretty upset and anxious that it was already 10:22 a.m. and she hadn't had one single taste of food.  Those pregnancy hormones almost kicked in, just at the moment she drove up to our favorite place to eat:  Kirby Lane. It's been a while since I had a sit down meal/conversation with a friend.  

Last year was a very hard year for me as I battled severe depression and I distanced myself from many friends.  I sure do love all the friendships that I have created over the past few years and each friendship is special and very unique to me. Each friend of mine brings something that I need in my life.  Marlene, my friend, brings me Hope. 

Having lost her husband 2 years ago, she is as strong as the first day I met her in 2008.  A runner, a full-time health care worker and soon to be a full-time student, she battled so many hardships in her life.  The most devastating was when she lost the love of her life.  We talk about him on our breakfast dates, her kids and what amazes me the most is that she hasn't given up.  I always think about my life and if this ever happened to me, that I wonder if I would be as strong as her.  We met today because in a week she will be starting school for her nursing degree.  I listen as she tells me all she's going to do.  

School. Work. Kids. The list goes on. 

Then I look over at my belly and see that I am going to have some changes in my life.

Am I ready? What obstacles will I encounter?  Will I see each new day as a blessing and move forward? 

I believe we fear the unknown.  But how are we going to grow as individuals if we don't venture out into the unknown.  I fear many things.  The birth. The labor.  My depression getting worse. 

 Fear tends to take a tight hold on us.  Meeting with my friend today made me less fearful. It made me believe in myself.  That I too am strong enough to overcome any obstacle.  

My new philosophy should be this "If Marlene can overcome it, I can too."   

Running is what we do best!  

Until Next Time, 

Eat Organic, 

Eat Gluten-Free, 

Jennifer