Those people we call friends

By: Brianna on 3:53 PM

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"I find friendship to be like wine, raw when new, ripened with age, the true old man's milk and restorative cordial."

- Thomas Jefferson

I've lived in a couple different places throughout my life and feel like I've made a connection with many people in those places. I have friends and family in the desert, friends from high school in Silverton, friends from my college days and friends in Silverton whom I've met since we moved back. I like to think I'm a social person-I never was part of a 'group' of people in high school, I felt like I was friends with everyone and really enjoyed that aspect of high school. That still rings true for me today. I have friends in Silverton whom I've known since high school, friends whom I hang out with on a regular basis and friends whom I've recently met, but their friendships are just as important to me as my 'older' friends. What's the saying? Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold...? Oh yes, that's DEFINITELY how I feel.

As much as I love all my friends there's a group of friends that I'd like to talk about right now--my "Mom Friends. "

I've been feeling so incredibly blessed lately to know a group of women who are supportive of each other and positive about being parents. I met most of them through being a nanny, and since ending my nanny job and with my wee one on the way, I've felt less nanny-ish and more mommy-ish. ;)

I enjoy the time I spend with these women for their friendship, advice and overall good times. Their kids are blessings, their families are blessings, and THEY are blessings! Throughout my pregnancy I've had many women to talk to (IS THIS NORMAL!?) and be reassured that I can have a natural childbirth, cloth diaper and breastfeed. I can be successful. Sure, I get that reassurance from my husband. But there's something so incredibly special hearing it from other women. Strong, supportive, and kind women-moms. I credit a lot of my 'pregnancy happiness' to them-without them, I'm sure I'd have had a few meltdowns!

About a year ago, I bought a book called Radical Homemakers by Shannon Hayes.

I love it. Like, absolutely love it. It's gotten lost in my pile of books I'm reading, so it's not quite finished but I'm getting there! ha! I hope to do a book review on it the future (I need to re-read it!) and will talk more about it then, but one thing that really sticks out in my mind is an aspect that Shannon Hayes talks about in 'reclaiming domestic skills' is Nurturing Relationships. "Solid and satisfying relationships are beyond a doubt the primary step in building a sustainable home." How true is that? If we have relationships that we nurture (share recipes, vegetables and fruits, ideas, etc.) and we continue to help grow then we are sure to be happier, which in turn makes our homes happier/sustainable. In the book, Hayes talks about "inter-reliance" with relationships, about giving AND giving-and not just goods-advice, times, services.

I am happier because of the community I am a part of. The group of women whom I've connected with make me happier and more fulfilled.

There's little irony in the fact that my husband asked me last night if I was getting stir crazy yet; being home and not working. I hadn't really thought about it until then. Sure, there were days when we were both home, not working, and the house was clean, and I didn't leave that I felt a little crazy. But, overall, I feel fulfilled. Taking care of my house, my husband and nurturing relationships that are invaluable.

Relationships like these are ones that I hope for every young mom out there. To be able to connect with mothers out there who are older, have more experience and can lend an ear when you just feel like you're "done." I know that it's only begun (we STILL don't have a babe yet!) and that these women will be a fantastic sounding board when I need them.

So thank you friends! Thank you for your kind words, listening ears, and wonderful hearts. You all are wonderful women-and someday, I hope to repay you!!

*This does not mean that my other relationships are NOT important. I truly value all the different "communities" that I am a part of. I just wanted to touch on one "community" of friends that I felt needed a nice shout out!