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Thursday 12 May 2011

Thankful Thursday

I have to admit that I have been struggling a little lot to come up with ideas for my blog posts over the past few days, so if you find yourself getting a bit bored, just give up and pass on to the next name on your blog roll!  I will quite understand, and promise that I won't be offended!!

Some of the writing that I have been reading lately has been inspired, and I am particularly enjoying the posts of much younger blogging friends.  I am amazed at the depth of their thinking, the warmth of their writing and their appreciation of the beauty of life around them.  To me, that gives us all hope for the future.  In the media you tend to just hear about all the badness that is out there but, believe me, there are a lot of young people out there who we should be really proud of.

Coming back to the title of my post, today I am grateful for the gift of "friendship."  I am an only child and I am very blessed with my two daughters, and I love being with them.  Several of my friends come from quite large families of five or six, so they have brothers and sisters who they go and visit and chat with on the phone  and, the older I get, the more I think that I would have loved to have had  a sister.  Someone who has been there all your life, with the same shared memories of growing up with mum and dad.

My friends think that I have a very 'romantic' view of families and that it is not all sweetness and light between siblings!  Perhaps I watched too many episodes of The Waltons when I was growing up.  I used to love the ending of each show, when they said something like "Goodnight ma, goodnight pa, goodnight Mary Ellen, goodnight John Boy!" (although there were more names called out than that, because there were seven children altogether).
 So, my girlfriends (isn't it funny, how we still call them girlfriends, even though one of them is 77!) are very important to me.  We share holidays together, we go to the cinema and theatre, we visit stately homes and gardens, we go on coastal walks and out for meals, so we have lots of happy memories.  More importantly, they are there with me sharing the good times and, also, the sad times.  They're always there with an encouraging word if needed.  In short, they are just 'there' for me, as I am always there for them.

How sad a world it would be if we didn't have friendship in it.  

  "A Life Without Friendship Is Like a Garden Without Flowers."

30 comments:

Duncan D. Horne - the Kuantan blogger said...

Goodnight John-boy, Gd'night Jim-bob! That brought back a few memories!

Well I'm also thankful for something - and that's your interest in me and my blog along with your wonderful comments you frequently leave!

Duncan In Kuantan

Lyndylou said...

It would be a sad world without friendship. I would be so lost without mine and very very lonely. As for large families, I am one of 7 and there has been very little support for me, from them, what with me having a disabled child.

They will come if asked but unless he is at deaths door they wont visit him in hospital unlike my friends who flock there to support me.

So I think you have it just right by surrounding yourself with people who want to be there championing you and supporting you because they want to not because they have to because of family obligation.

I am never bored by your blog by the way, it always makes me think :)

Unknown said...

Lynne was so right. I have 2 sisters that I love very much but I have much more interaction and communication with my blog family than I do with them. I never underestimate the value of friends. And you could never be boring my friend.

Sush said...

I do love my siblings very much and they have been there for me at times of great need. We have all been scattered about the U.S. so it is difficult to get together as often as we'd like.
One of my very dearest of friends just found out her cancer is spreading again and will have to undergo another round of painful and frightening treatments. I treasure each and every day we have together...friends and family are the blessings of life.
I think your posting was most inspired...
Loves~

Shady Del Knight said...

Thisisme - I need to run to an appointment and it will take a couple of hours. I'll be back to read and comment a.s.a.p. dear friend!

Vintage Sunday said...

Your quote at the end is just so true ~ praise God for friends! I was amazed when I saw the picture of the Waltons come up ~ my children are watching an episode right at this very moment (nice to have something wholesome they love to watch!) ~ how's that for a synchronicity! Your posts are always so lovely, and so thoughtful! Love Brenda

Glenda said...

It's hard to be bored with someone's life - and yours seems to be so full and happy. I love reading your posts. I have three siblings left out of seven and they're all sisters - we're fairly close, but now so much as I am with my girlfriends. There's huge age differences as I am the baby of the family which they still refer to me as baby, btw. Girlfriends are a gift from God and I treasure each and every one.

Southhamsdarling said...

Duncan - What a memory you have! Jib-Bob! That was the one that I couldn't think of. Happy days! It's always a pleasure to come over and look at your wonderful photographs.

lyndylou - I can't believe that your family don't give you much support. Unbelievable! I guess families can be a funny assortment! I am so glad that at least you have your good friends to support you during the rough times.

Odie - we do seem to have got very close to all our wonderful bloggy friends, don't we. Another blessing to be thankful for in our lives my friend.

Sush - I agree, it must be very difficult when families are separated by so many miles, and that seems to happen more and more these days, whereas in the past, families used to stay much closer together. I am so sorry to hear about your poor friend.I have been through that myself, and it's not nice. I am sure that you will support her in every way that you possibly can. Hugs.

Shady - how nice of you to quickly stop by before you had to dash off! I shall await your further comment with baited breath!!

Vintage Sunday - I just can't believe that coincidence about The Waltons. Spooky!! I used to love that programme - it was so warm and wholesome, with the grandma and grandpa as well! Thank you for your kind comments.

Glenda Manus - thank you! I love coming across to read your posts as well. I was about to leave a comment on the awful night you had over there, and Blogger went down on me! I so agree with your comment about girlfriends being a gift from God. They are so very special to me. I will pop over and see if I can get into your blog now!

Katherines Corner said...

Love that quote.My garden is filled with bloggy friends. Hugs and wishes for a day filled with Happy!

SkippyMom said...

Hey sneaky you! You changed your name for when you comment. I didn't recognize you on my blog. :) I will now tho'. heehee

Goodnight This!
Goodnight Skippy!

:)

Loved the Waltons.

Bethe77 said...

Thisisme I think I must toally agree with you that a world without friendship would be like having no flowers in it. Im the oldest of four one brother and two sisters. Recently just moved into the area and am having so much fun with them. Im gald you ahve friends to sahre with and your daughters. It does seem the older I get I want to be with my family and my older friends. My sisters and I are having a great time.
I do so love my friends I dont know what I would do without them. They have carried me through much. The family God blessed with with through my lifes journey.
Blessings

Chatty Crone said...

I totally agree - THANK GOD FOR FRIENDS.

Unknown said...

I never realized that the Walton's was an international hit!

You are exactly right in pointing out how the media has given us a warped view of the world. It is through blogging and reading the posts of real people that I feel my faith in humanity growing. I also very much appreciate your style of writing, the topics, the kindness, the enthusiasm. You are a shining star in the blogosphere. It's not just your posts, but the way your comments. I'm so glad that you have girlfriends to enjoy life with. I can't imagine you not having loads of friends.

Unknown said...

I meant to write "the way you make us feel in the supportive comments you generously give"

Southhamsdarling said...

Katherine's Corner - We are very lucky with our bloggy friend flowers in our garden!!

SkippyMom - I didn't change my name - honestly! I don't know what's happening. At the moment, I can't get into other people's blogs to comment. :( I do hope it's going to right itself - else what will I do??!! :(( I chuckled at your reference to The Waltons!!!

Bethe - I'm so glad that you are having such fun with your sisters. It must be wonderful!! Also that your friends are always there for you. Blessings indeed.

Chatty Crone - Thank God indeed, and I think I know what you are getting at there!!!

kneesandpaws - Oh yes, The Waltons were huge over here for what seemed to be a very long time!! I agree with you about how very kind and supportive everyone is in bloggyland, and thank you so much for your very kind comments. I do appreciate them dear friend!

Shady Del Knight said...

You will always have my friendship if you want it, Thisisme! I have only one brother and he is more than 10 years older. When I was still a young boy he left home to join the Air Force. From then on I was essentially an only child. I often wonder how differently my life would have turned out if I had a sister or two. I will be touching on the subject in a future post of mine. Thank you for waiting for my comment, dear friend. I had a long drive and a lengthy doctor visit which kept me away from you and others that I care about.

Southhamsdarling said...

Shady - thank you so much for taking the time to drop by again after your long drive today. I do hope that everything is okay after your visit to the Doctors. I'm glad to know that your friendship is secure, dear friend. I bet you would have been in your element with sisters around!!!

Belle said...

I am glad I had a brother and two sisters, but I think loyal friends can be just as good. You do such fun things with your friends! Sometimes the memories of growing up together are sad instead of happy. Sometimes sisters are so different, they don't understand each other.

BB said...

I had 4 brothers but now there's 3 and they are distant relatives to me and not in location. Friends are what makes my life richer.

Desiree said...

This was a perfectly delightful post full of warm sentiments and gratitude! I do so agree with you about the quality of young folk out there. Lavi and Pencil Girl are two that immediately spring to mind and of course my own daughter, too!

Gawgus things... said...

I honestly, honestly don't know where I would be without my friends. They are everything to me (as well as my dear family, of course!) :)

Southhamsdarling said...

Belle - That's a really interesting couple of points there, that sometimes sisters can be so different that they don't understand each other, and that memories of growing up can be sad, as well as happy. Thank you for pointing that out.

Des - you threw me there until I saw the photo. Have you changed from Desiree to Des?? I agree with you about the young bloggers that you have mentioned and there are others as well. We're very lucky with our daughters, aren't we?!

Bouncin'Barb - Perhaps you would have been closer to a sister if you had had one. I think everyone has agreed our important our friends are in our lives. Hope the Alien doesn't turn up again tonight!!

Gawgus things - I know that you have some wonderful, caring friends, and thank the Lord for them I say. Bless them all!

One Woman's Thoughts said...

It s so wonderful to have friends and family to have history with.

I too came from a small family and my parents and brother have passed on. A month ago I was at a friends house who was giving a party,(she is one of 5 siblings) and many of them were there along with spouses, children and grandparents and her husbands side of the family too. Her house was a bustle of energy. I know that all is not wine and roses, but you do dream don't you? And it is heartwarming when they invite you into the family activites.

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

As the oldest of five children I think it is great to have siblings but also knows it depends on the how you get along with you siblings and other family members.

If you are unfortunate not to have a loving support close knit family then you need to have friends,yes it is great if you have both but I am one of those people who doesn't have both my family are also my friends.

I do hope my daughters have more children siblings can be the best, it is great to have someone to play with when you are little and to chill with when you are older.

Christmas-etc... said...

So true in all respects! I loved the Waltons too...
Blessings!
Ann

Masia Mum said...

I am writing a quick comment while waiting for The Daughter to arrive for a Saturday visit with Grandson No.2 and Granddaughter No.2 together with her Ma-in-law. I was hoping the sunshine would hold so we could all be out in the garden but it is cloudy over. No matter a day with your loved ones is the best!

Would you be interested in contributing your comments to a new blog I have begun today after discussions with several mature friends. We decided we did not like being labelled "grumpy old women" so we have re-launched ourselves as Wise Old Birds or as my mate called it Wobs on the Web.

If you have time do visit me at wiseoldbirds as well as our normal chats.

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, dear friend! This repost gives me another chance to tell you how much I cherish our friendship. My blog is back open for business but unfortunately I lost your lovely comments that were part of my latest post. I hope Blogger restores them soon! Have a wonderful day, Thisisme!

Becky said...

Hi This ~ I have been rather "absent" with my posts, as well. So, I understand! ~ I also understand your "romance" with families, being an only child myself. I used to fantasize about being part of the Brady Bunch! I was always Jan, right in the middle! Yes. I too get a little jealous of my friends that have brothers and sisters. I get jealous of David and his close relationship with his brother, as well. I am already thinking about when my mother passes and how "lonely" I might feel when she is gone. ~ Better run and get ready for church. Hope you are having a beautiful day! ((HUGS))

On My Soapbox said...

Since I have only one sibling (who lives far away) and am kind of a "lone wolf", I really treasure my friendships. I value them for so many reasons, and am truly thankful to have them. The quote about gardens and flowers is wonderful!

Southhamsdarling said...

Thank you to everyone who took the trouble to comment. I feel that a lot of the comments might be missing though. Big thumbs down to Blogger!!

Becky - I certainly felt it more than ever when my mum passed away. Then you really do feel lonely. It's a strange feeling.