Friends are sometimes like a bellows on dying embers, recharging us with encouraging words, or a hug and a smile. They are often the only ones available to stand in the gap, or on rare occasions to pray big and move mountains. But I am prone to wonder of the more meaningful…
Presence of Friends
Because of friends… our mail boxes are more cheerful, our birthdays are happier, and our hearts more likely to shine on a rainy day.
Because of friends…our tears don’t fall alone, our laughter is heartier, and our days have more purpose.
Because of friends…a movie is more interesting, an outing more exciting, and a caffè latte more flavorful.
Because of friends…the moon seems bigger, the stars twinkle more, and a sunset is more glorious.
Because of friends…we have more memories, we smile more often, and our lives are more colorful.
Friends, no matter how many or how few, how far or how near, are treasures worth cherishing.
Thank you, my friends, for joining me today. I hope you are having a joyous day. If this made you think of a friend, drop him a note, or give her a call.
Until next time, may happy days abound!
Marianne ♥
Note: Prose by Marianne Coyne ©2012. Above illustration by Maud Humphrey.
Leisure Lane 
Jul 22, 2015 @ 13:59:51
Perfect, Colleen. And a gratitude weekly post sounds terrific! May your husband do well today at his appointments, and may your day be blessed. ♥
LikeLike
Jul 22, 2015 @ 03:12:52
That about sums it up. Friends are the family we choose. 🙂
LikeLike
Jul 22, 2015 @ 13:55:45
D.G., you are so right. And new friends are always right around the corner, if we open our hearts to them. Thank you for stopping by today. I’m strolling by your blog to see what you’re up to these days. Hugs ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jul 22, 2015 @ 17:25:58
Thanks Marianne. Lovely to meet you. 🙂
LikeLike
Jul 21, 2015 @ 16:24:03
Marianne, I had to let you know that my oldest daughter sent me a text last night. After reading your fabulous post about a gratitude journal, she has started her own. Work is rough for her right now and she received such inspiration from you! I was overjoyed! Thank you for sharing your amazing journal with me. I am writing in mine as we speak (write). Have a fabulous week! ~Colleen~
LikeLike
Jul 22, 2015 @ 01:36:50
Colleen, thank you, thank you for sharing this with me. I had a tiring day at work, and I almost didn’t check my emails. But I am so happy I did because your words have made my whole day worth while! I am elated to hear about your daughter’s decision to start a journal, and I applaud her. I know that when our thoughts are absorbed in, or brought down by circumstances, its very difficult to emotionally bring ourselves to think of things we’re grateful for. But they are all around us every day, and it is so important we recognize them. And doing so lifts our emotions to a higher vibration.
I believe without a doubt that keeping a gratitude journal will not only make your daughter feel better, but will help to clear her mind for good decisions about her work.
I was thinking to have a giveaway of a lovely journal. But I would love to gift your daughter a journal if she is okay with you giving me her address(you could do it on an email). If not, I understand – so no worries.
Again, thank you for letting me know, Colleen. And I am smiling thinking of you writing in your journal. I am grateful for the gratitude journal post on Mindful Monday, and I think this gratitude journal idea may be heading somewhere.
Blessings for a peaceful evening, my friend,
Marianne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jul 22, 2015 @ 11:27:04
Thank you for your warm and kind reply, Marianne. I knew this would make your day. I will email you later. We have Dr. Appointments for my husband today. 💗 I know you are on to something with your gratitude journals too. You should start a weekly gratitude post. 💗
LikeLike
Jul 17, 2015 @ 11:45:31
Lovely post. Friends are so important, and I think, at times, we take them too much for granted. If we could just spend a few minutes a day to reach out via a note, a phone call, or even a text, it would mean so much.
LikeLike
Jul 17, 2015 @ 13:30:03
I absolutely agree, Michelle! We can take friends and even our loved ones for granted at times, and it takes only a minute to reach out during the day. With all of the media at our disposal nowadays there really isn’t any excuse not to. Thank you for visiting and for your comment. I have made some wonderful friends, and you certainly are one of them. Have a delightful day ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jul 17, 2015 @ 19:57:49
Thanks so much Marianne. Right back at you. I am enjoying our friendship very much.
LikeLike
Jul 16, 2015 @ 20:40:52
That is such a sweet post Marianne. I am just dropping by to say Hi to my friend. ❤
LikeLike
Jul 16, 2015 @ 21:33:56
Oh, welcome, friend! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m very appreciative of everyone who comes and visits by the lane. And so many agree your writing is an inspiration. Blessings on progressing with your book, Colleen ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jul 16, 2015 @ 21:43:05
Marianne, thank you for your wonderful compliment! I enjoy seeing what you are up to. 💗
LikeLike
Jul 16, 2015 @ 19:16:07
Oh what a lovely post Marianne. How very true.
Sending hugs, Flo x
LikeLike
Jul 16, 2015 @ 21:37:40
Thank you, Florence. I am so happy to see your happy smile. Friends are so important in our lives, and I’m so blessed to have them here in blogland. You have no idea how much visiting your blogs make me smile and inspire me. Blessings for making more of your beautiful cards ♥ I always look forward to seeing them.
LikeLike
Jul 16, 2015 @ 18:19:18
A joyous post Marianne-thank you
Love Chrissie
LikeLike
Jul 16, 2015 @ 19:14:50
You deserve it, Chrissie…thank you, for being creative and inspiring. ♥
LikeLike