I saw the package on the kitchen island. I wasn’t expecting anything. You know how it is nowadays. We rarely get “fun” mail. And if it is “fun,” it’s an expected delivery from something we’ve ordered on Amazon. This was one of those “old fashion”, out-of-the-blue surprise packages.
I opened it up.
Let me give some context. We were having a really awful morning. I saw the package from one of my best friends. Just seeing her handwriting, I wanted to open it immediately.
I beamed with delight. Here she used one my MY handmade cards that I had sent to her in a package last year. My cards that delight me when I see them. My that cards delight me to make. My cards that – somehow, even though each one is so different – has “my” sort of delight-FULL energy to them. Already my heart was swelling with a deep gratitude.
“Dear Lisa, last night I found this cute little bag and immediately thought of you! …The two little girls on the front remind me of us! It doesn’t matter if we live hundreds of miles away……..we are and will forever be Best Friends! I love you, Lisa!”
I opened the gift. A little bag with two little girls on it. “Best friends.” This is how we grew up.  This is how we drew pictures of the two of us — her with her beautiful brown hair, me with my blonde hair, holding hands. Even writing this now, there is a soft glow in my heart.
Somehow, this package arrived on the “right” day, at the “right” moment. In an instant, I was reminded, “We are so loved.”
I thought of the tribe of people we have in our life. I thought about how we ALL have our tribe of people, made up of dear ones from all walks of life and different times of our lives.
–Â the old friends who just “know us”, who knew us as middle schoolers, who know where we come from
– the “can count on one hand” friends who we can be our raw, unfiltered, desperate, needy, not-all-together-and-totally-losing-it friends
–Â the “go to” friends who we literally go to when we need information about birthing, raising teenagers, what to wear to a job interview (because after birthing babies and wearing yoga clothes all day, you look in your closet and you have no idea what fits, what’s right to wear, what reflects YOU now)
– the friends you can call any time of the day or night about something random, something sitting with you…and not have to use any pleasantries. You can just get right into what’s up.
– the neighbor friends — who will give you two eggs for those cookies you are trying to make and you are trying to juggle baking and engaging your little ones who want to bake with you but it’s going downhill fast because it’s almost dinner time and the day has been a long one and you are just holding it together and you call your neighbor and she says, “sure! And I’LL bring it to you!” (ok, exhale!).
–Â the friends who we KNOW we can count on…and that sometimes we can take for granted.
– the “school friends” who your children and their children go to school together. The ones you share stories with, you cry at the bus stop with, the ones you go to for questions like “when is that permission slip due again? Where are they going?”
–Â the spiritual friends who make us dig deeper, go into our hearts and find our own truths…and a bit of quiet in our day.
– the “new” friends who somehow just appeared in our lives recently who you look at and feel like they’ve always been in your life. The new friend who you really resonate with and want to get to know and you are still trying to figure out “is it cool that I call her and tell her how awesome she is? Is it cool that she sees my house, me, my kiddos how we really are?”
– the online friends — the friends we have met blogging or on community forums or through social networking — all over the world. The friends who inspire us with their words, their mission, their passion, their work they are doing to make this world a bit kinder.
I could go on! The web, the tribe, the tapestry of friends that we all have who love us. Who arrive with their love in different ways at different times in our lives. But, I am finding, just when we need them. Just when we need the special kind of love that they uniquely offer and embody.
So here’s to a day of remembering WE ARE NOT ALONE.
WE ARE HELD IN A TRIBE.
WE BELONG.
WE ARE LOVED.
Here’s to a day of remembering TO BOW IN GRATITUDE.
TO SAY “THANK YOU” to this world, to your dear ones, to the universe or whatever name you give to the Divine — the “something” bigger than you, the GRACE that arrives when you need it.
TO REMEMBERING WE ARE BLESSED.
** Thank you for being a part of the Barefoot Barn community – follow what delights your heart and you’ll inspire the world. I hope these words inspire you to live with more delight, compassion, and connection in your everyday lives.
Blessings,
So beautiful ~ both your best friend’s wonderful gesture, and your post!! Loved it – and so agree ~ friendship abounds in all the hidden corners if we are open and receptive – and find the delight in everyone around us! Love to you sweet friend ~ X RL
Thank you, Robyn. Yes, you say it right on — that friendships — our relationships with our dear ones — abounds in hidden corners when we are open and receptive. When we cultivate that posture in our day. It just shows up. That is what the divine is showing me over the last decade — “I’m just bringing this to your doorstep. Whatever you need.”
Loved reading your words Lisa and yes we are so loved!
Colleen, I love replying to your comments! Yes, we are loved, aren’t we?! I talk to soooooooo many people in therapy who have forgotten that — who feel soooooo alone. I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t have SOMEone who loves them – even if it is complicated or there has been a lot of hurt. The trick is us reminding ourselves that we are so loved, especially in those times when we feel so low, so at our wit’s end, so horrible about ourselves. Thanks, Colleen, for all your comments! Blessings to you, Lisa
Yes so true Robyn, to be open and receptive and trusting!
I love the bag. What a precious gesture from you BFF. I loved reading this and identifying who in my life fit into which category. 🙂
Brenda, I love how you wrote “BFF!” You so rock, Brenda! Like you, as I was writing this, I was reflecting on and sending love to the people who fell into these “categories.” Made me really grateful for the tribe – as it grows, shifts, changes. I’m glad I’m with you in this “blogging” and “online” tribe, Brenda. You know I love your presence, dear heart friend. 😉 Love, Lisa
This was beautiful and even made me cry. You are so dead on!!! We each have our own little tribes that are dear to us, but it is also really good to have that one that you hold a little dearer. Love you Lee!
I know what you mean Shannon, very beautiful!
Shannon is the dear one who sent this to me! I didn’t want to name her in the post. I called her up and said, “read my blog, girl. It’s about you!” Colleen, sounds like you have your tribe of people who love you dearly!
Your gift really came at the right time. You know that. Love you, Shanny.
“We are held in a tribe.” I love that! I’m appreciating my friends a little more right now. 🙂
Yes we are love, sometimes we need reminding as can so often take our friends and loved ones for granted!
Karen, I am betting that in your journey of recovery you have found an incredible tribe of people. I’m betting, too, that you do a lot of loving of those people in your tribe!!! Keep writing and sharing, girl. Your presence is beautiful in this world! Love, Lisa
Very beautiful message you received and thank you for sharing this! We are love itself and the more we can give the more comes back to us.
YES, Colleen, you speak the truth. I have seen this over the years in my own life — offer, give, be of service and though we may not see it right away, it comes back to us. Ten fold. Sounds like you have experienced this, too, in your life, Colleen. And though that’s not why we give love, I’ve seen how giving it blesses our lives and this world.
I’m glad you are here, Colleen! I hope to hear more from you! Many blessings, Lisa