When I transferred to college in Louisiana I was fortunate to quickly make a great group of friends. Many antics insued during my time there but that's a story for another day. After graduating we all spread out pursuing various graduate degrees or professional interests. But over the past eleven years we have stayed in touch and on many occasions seen eachother even if it wasn't the whole group.
One of those friends took on an amazing challenge after graduating. She took custody of her sibling's two young children and committed to raising them as her own. Can you imagine doing that at the age of 22? I was nervous about having a child at the age of 33 and I didn't go into it knowing I'd be single. But she did it and she has provided a wonderful life for those kids all while sacrificing her own needs. Over the years I have often thought about her and what her daily struggles must be. But I never truly appreciated her until I became a mother myself. I never told her what an amazing woman she is and how proud I am to know her until today. She sent me an encouraging email about my divorce being over and said she understood what I meant about, "but I'm happy with the fact that I have been standing completely on my own for over three months, supporting myself financially and taking care of my son and home." Today those kids are 12 and 14. I can't even think that far ahead with Keegan, it blows my mind. But she did it and with little fanfare. I am lucky to include myself in her circle of friends.

PS She sent me this, which is an oldie but a goodie.

"After a While

After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning and company doesn't always mean security
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises
And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child
And you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans and futures have a way of falling down mid-flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure that you really are strong and you actually have worth.
And you learn and you learn... with every good-bye you learn.

Veronica A. Shoffstall "