Friends

‘I’ll Be There for You’ by The Rembrandts (1995)

So no one told you life was going to be this way. Your job’s a joke, you’re broke, you’re love life’s DOA. It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear, When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year. But, I’ll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour. I’ll be there for you, like I’ve been there before. I’ll be there for you, cause you’re there for me too. You’re still in bed at ten, the work began at eight. You’ve burned your breakfast, so far, things are going great. Your mother warned you there’d be days like these, But she didn’t tell you when the world has brought you down to your knees. That, I’ll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour. I’ll be there for you, like I’ve been there before. I’ll be there for you, cause you’re there for me too. No one could ever know me, no one could ever see me. Seems like you’re the only one who knows what it’s like to be me. Someone to face the day with, make it through all the rest with, Someone I’ll always laugh with, even at my worst, I’m best with you. It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear, When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year. But, I’ll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour. I’ll be there for you, like I’ve been there before. I’ll be there for you, cause you’re there for me too. [Thanks to Peter.Isaac for correcting these lyrics] Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/tvthemes/friendslyrics.html

Friends is my favorite TV show of all time.  I watched it when it was on the air originally, I have all 10 seasons on DVD, and I watch reruns on a regular basis.  My husband and I speak in Friends quotes.  I absolutely love it, especially when I need a good laugh. 

Like everyone else, I have been reflecting on the past year and making plans for 2022.  I really want to focus on my all-around health and wellbeing this year.  2021 was rough.  2020 was rough.  But when I look back, I like to focus on the positive and identify what I’m most grateful for.  For me, it’s friends.

No, not the show (although I am very grateful for it!)  I am blessed to have so many amazing people in my life.  When I really think about it, I am truly overwhelmed by the sheer number of wonderful people who have been brought into my life over the past 42 years. 

Like the Friends theme song lyrics, I have had a lot of people ‘be there for me’ over the past two years.  The pandemic has caused a lot of difficulty for me – long work hours, fear and anxiety, loss of childcare, stress, illness in my family, etc.  It has been very hard to navigate.  But what has also been in abundance is the kindness of my friends.  I could not have gotten through all of this without them.  So I want to extend a huge ‘thank you’ to all of the fabulous friends who are there for me:

• My family and the friends who I’ve chosen to be family;

• My Orangetheory friends who inspire and encourage me daily;

• My runner friends who I’m in awe of and want to be like some day;

• My co-workers past and present who also feel my pain and let me be me;

• My #HRCommunity friends who I learn from every day and who are always at the top of the .gif game on social media;

• My conference buddies who attended my sessions in 2021 and gave unending support;

• My fellow mom friends who understand and always offer a listening ear and a glass of wine;

• My sorority sisters who remember the good times and made college so memorable;

• My husband’s friends who became mine and like me better;

• My mentors who have always believed in me; and

• My fellow Christians who love the Lord and have helped me to develop my faith. 

Cheers to a happy, healthy, productive, safe, and fun 2022!  May your life be filled with friends!