Gratitude Journal #42

Three days left in the year, and Three Gratitude Entries to go before reaching my goal of 100. I have tried over the year to remember to be grateful for the little things, like the Starbucks employees who start work at 4a, so that when I pull into the drive-thru at 6a, someone is there to make me my Chai tea latte. But the truth is, what I am most grateful for in my life are the people. And so, this last week’s worth of gratitude entries are going to be about the people I am grateful for.

Gratitude Entry #98 –  J & CJ
J has been my friend for over 25 years now. Our friendship has had ups and downs, but she really is my BFF. When things first hit the fan a few years ago, J was the first call I made. And she dropped everything to come and hold my hand through the first terrible 24 hours. I would not have made it through these last few years without J.

And while I missed their wedding, J & CJ have made sure I have always felt included in their lives. They have taken flack from CJ’s family about it but have always stood up for our friendship. I am Auntie E to their son and love all the opportunities I have to hang out with the three of them. Or to babysit him.

I do not know that I could ever put into words exactly how much J & CJ’s friendship has meant. We used to do family dinner every week, and while that is on hold for now, I think that is still the right way to think of them. I have a great family I was born into, but I also have this amazing chosen family. A family where we, over and over again, choose each other. 

Just like with my birth family, things are not perfect. Over the 25 years, my friendship with J has waxed and waned. There have been times when we barely talked. But for the last 10+ years or so, that has not been the case. And we have found ourselves being major support for each other.

This year, the way we celebrated Christmas was with a video call between C & myself, D, J & CJ, and E. It was a family phone call. And it was pretty perfect.