#skeeoop

Everyone who knows me knows I don’t like to share my friends.  Yes I know…it’s a sickness (LOL) but I like to hold them close.  Since I have very few very close friends, I REALLY hold on to them! It’s not that I am selfish, it’s just that they are rare and anyone who goes through the trenches with you, who sees what you see, who feels what you feel as intensely as you feel is someone who is, in my opinion, special.  So, I hold them as close as I can so I can hear their heartbeat and know what makes them happy, sad and when they are content. From the sound their voice I can hear when they need to talk through things and from their silence, I know they are okay or either working through things.  It’s not creepy.  It’s what I call true friendship.

I woke up today with this on my mind because today is my dear friend Rashima’s birthday.  I couldn’t think of a better way to express the beauty of friendship than by putting pen to paper (or rather fingers to laptop!).

Today would have been a great day to hang out with her.  To share stories (both old and new), to laugh until our stomachs hurt, to debate who will win the Army/Navy game (I am a Navy brat, she is Army all the way!), to compare roles as big sisters and to tease each other about whose sorority is the best (I am an AKA, she is a Delta).  Although I won’t get the chance to do that, I decided to do something special for her birthday.  I decided to share her.  Today when she is supposed to be celebrating her…but I know she will be spreading herself between children (Shout out to Sarah and Jessica!), her husband (Hey there Robert!), her sisters (love you Kenya and Susan….notice how I said “Susan”? LOL), her church family, her extended family, her sorority sisters, etc.  I know her heart will be on soldiers and their sacrifices to this country.  I know she will be praying for literally everyone.  I know this because we are friends. Because although we grew in different directions as young people, I kept her close to my heart.  

Always.

So to all the people who get to be in her presence today.  To all the people who she has touched and to all the people who have yet to meet this fabulous woman who I consider my sister…today I will share… 

…and you are very welcome.

Happy birthday, Rashima!  In the middle of this day…know you are loved.