As I reflect back on 2011 which was a mixed bag of growth and unrelenting stress, I ‘m thinking about the people in my life that impact it in a positive way. I’ve written about negative relationships and how it’s not doing anyone a favor to maintain those but what about the people in your life who inspire you, lend you a hand when you need it, make you laugh, are brave and honest and perhaps most important to me, love me for who I am inside, the real Kay with all her faults and insecurities.
Today I will write an e-mail to each of my “keepers” to thank them for the part they play in my life and how they would be profoundly missed if they were no longer with me for whatever reason. Over the last year I have lost two friends I never thought I would but life happens and what I thought were forever friends were not. I wish them well and will look back on our friendship with fondness.
So what does it take to be a keeper? Someone I could call at 2:00 in the morning and they would jump in their car to help me no questions asked. Someone who appreciates who I am underneath the social mask we project, someone who does not expect me to be perfect, someone who is giving of themselves for the right reasons and probably most important is to be courageous.
Courage is an overused word frequently coined when referring to some military action. For me courage is doing the right thing when it isn’t popular or politically correct. Courage is standing up for right versus wrong and for the less fortunate. Courage can mean getting up every day in pain or sickness and carrying on and making the best out of the day and yourself. I am fortunate to know many courageous people.
Recently my stress with work and school has gotten the better of me but I feel refreshed and ready to start the final sprint. I will take with me the strength and love I receive from my “keepers” and pay it back to keep the cycle going.
Thank you to all who inspire me to keep learning and growing and for believing in me even when I don’t.
Happy New Year Everyone
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There is so much I would say on this subject, but I’d rather say kudos to you, Kay, for doing something so meanigful and caring. I have also had to come to terms with certain realities regarding friendship and trust, and in that sense I agree with the notion that relationships take strange and unexpected turns. There are people in my life right now whom I never expected, and there are people who I always expected to be there that have departed. I’m not sure what it all means to be honest, but Im thankful for what I have gained and somberly accepting of what has evaporated. I think I will follow your example and take some time to thank those precious few who have stuck with me through the years. Happy New Year.