My Life is an Open Book

     I am not a private person. I don't have skeletons in my closet. I don't hide who I am. I also don't pretend to be something I am not. Another thing, I wear my emotions on my sleeve. This makes it very hard for me to lie. So I'm pretty honest, most of the time.
     Sharing this blog has done many things I never thought it could. First and foremost it has released a whole lot of baggage that I have been holding up inside. I cannot tell you how freeing it is to not feel like I am hiding something. Not that I was ever hiding anything. Plenty of people knew what was happening and the struggles we were facing with C. But now people that I see every day or friends that I don't see often enough know what is going on and the struggles we face. Somehow, it makes it easier to go through knowing that my colleagues may see me at work and see I am having a bad day or they might understand why I seemed short with them. At least they will have a better understanding if I am not my happy self.
     The other thing sharing this blog has done is bring out of the woodwork who my true friends are. I pretty much know that most of my friends are true friends because they have stuck with me this long! There's some saying about you find out who your true friends are when you are in crisis. Those are the friends that come to you, seeing you are in need. It can be a small gesture like sending an email or text saying, "Hey, I'm thinking about you." Or something more grand like sending a small gift in the mail . Plus all of the in betweens. I have heard from friends near and far with words of encouragement, offers of help, or just a "you are loved" message. It is very comforting to know these people are still my friend. I know we always say to our friends," I'm here if you need me, please don't hesitate to ask for help." But, I believe true friends are the ones that don't wait for you to ask for help, they just know you need it and BAM! there they are.  Thank you to my friends that have shown their face since I introduced my blog. The emails, texts, phone calls, fb posts,etc. are all I really ever needed to give me the strength to carry on. And quite honestly, it has helped me know which friends I will call first. Hint: wine. As they say "any excuse to drink wine is a good excuse!" Get your wine openers ready friends!