It Takes A Village

I was pondering my last year while on the airplane to visit a dear friend of mine (why do I ponder so much on airplanes?). And a thought kept recurring in my little head:

It Takes a Village to Raise a Diva (or me).

Every single person that has come into or touched my life in the last year (and likely longer) has taught me an important lesson or helped me over an important hurdle.

Initially, it was LK. She was the first person I turned to when I thought I was going to leave my husband. I was terrified to tell her, terrified of what she would think of me. I can still remember where we were sitting when I told her. And she just looked at me calmly and told me her only concern was that I was happy. Her reaction gave me the strength I needed to go get happy. It was not long after that conversation that I left my house. LK also saved my butt this past weekend when I left my keys in my dear friends car - 1000 miles away.

Then there was CD. Again, I was afraid to tell CD. In fact at the beginning I only hinted to her what was going on - I merely told her my husband and I were having "problems" and that I might need somewhere to stay for a while. Without asking a single question beyond whether I was OK - she offered up her basement bedroom/bathroom. This was where I stayed, licked my wounds, stretched my legs and started to find out what it was like to be me again. I look back at the time I lived in her home very fondly. I love to go over and visit - it smells just like that time - when I was feeling empowered and strong for having taken that first step. Throughout this entire process CD has been patient with me - listening to me cry about S for the umpteen millionth time. Watching me struggle, watching me succeed.

BC has also been a steadfast friend. But mostly she taught me what it was like to be a friend back. She has had boyfriend troubles and I recently had the opportunity to be the friend to someone else that CD and LK were to me. What a gift. From BC I learned that not only do I have amazing friends, I am also an amazing friend. A strong woman who can carry her friends in times of need.

Even S has taught me something. He taught me that it is possible for me to have a love much bigger than the one I had with my exhusband. He taught me to be introspective. He taught me to be more careful with people's emotions - to not take people for granted. He also taught me to recognize when something is over and to let it go.

My mother has been amazing. Always steadfast and supportive - sometimes nosy and asking more questions than I want to answer at the time. But the unconditional love I get from her is worth its weight in gold.

TR - my friend from Cleveland - who shook me after my break up and reminded me of the girl I was back when. That visit was the beginning of my rebound back to human.

GR - who has given me the proverbial kick in the pants at times. Who is always willing to listen, commiserate, drink wine and give great advice.

AD - he taught me that I'm still attractive. I'm still fun. I'm still capable of being girlfriend material. Now he's teaching me that I have the motivation to do what it is that I want to do - I am not a quitter, I do not lack discipline.

And so many other people that have shared their stories and heartaches with me or who have listened supportively to my stories and heartache. I could never have done it without you. I am here, in this really great place, because of you.

I love each and every one of you. And I hope that someday I can even pay back a little of what you gave me.

Take care, dear readers. I'm all growed up.