To the loves of my life...my BFFs! I thank you!

I have been thinking a lot about my next blog entry and for days now nothing seemed to hit me. I haven't really done much exploring recently, so there was nothing new about NYC I wanted to write about, but today, for the first time, having some down time at work, I went on the Oprah website and read an article about "friendship"...Oprah and her bestfriend Gayle's in particular, and the light bulb hit me. So I am dedicating this blog entry to the "Gayle's" in my life. Yes, "Gayle's". I have had the good fortune of having more than 1 best friend. If anything I have at least a handful of friends that I consider my very best and as I've gotten older, that list has gotten even longer. Time has a way of testing relationships and creating special bonds between people and with time, many of these bonds have gotten deeper and more meaningful. I honestly credit my friendships with some of these people (along with my family) for helping me through my divorce and the death of my son. Without them, I honestly don't know where I'd be today. I certainly could never imagine 3 years ago that I would be starting my life over (in a sense) 3000 miles away...honestly, I don't think I would even have the courage to do what I am doing if it were not for the love and support of my best friends who I hold so closely to my heart. I owe them all so much money for the counseling sessions and pep talks (some of them daily) that brought me here and continue to support me as I start my new life. It's been a true blessing even amidst many moments in the past where I've questioned the existence of a god (Not that I'm religious...but I am agnostic). True friendships are just so precious. I am trying to even think of a word that describes how I feel about some of these relationships and for the most part it even exceeds the word love. Some of these friendships are so strong that it trumps even what I'd expect a relationship one has in marriage to be. To me, the institute of marriage is based upon conditions. Sure we think we marry the person because we feel this unconditional love for him or her, but give me a break, would you be with your spouse if he/she breaks your trust, spirit or will? Those are clearly conditions set forth by marriage that does not exist, at least legally, in friendships. In friendships, you are not bond by conditions or expectations, you are merely friends because you've chosen at will to have that person in your life. There is no contract, you are in the relationship for however long, could even be a lifetime, just because you want to be. And I am talking about best friends here. The one's that have your back. The ones you can call in the middle of the night just to shoot the shit with. The one's that know all your dirty little (or sometimes big) secrets, the juice about your family, and even what you had for lunch the day before. The ones that act like your memory chip and remind you of things you did or said and even what you wore however long ago. The ones who will be blatantly honest with you even if you don't want to hear it, but you can never be mad at them because you know in your heart they are right and only being honest because they love you. The one's that are happier for you, then you would be for yourself, when things go well. The ones that no matter how many chips may fall, will walk along with you to help you pick them up. True friendships are hard to find and if you have them, consider yourself extremely lucky. I know I am.