I am lucky to have cultivated a lush garden of beautiful, meaningful friendships throughout my life. I am luckier, still, to be planted in the deep soil of my friends’ gardens where they shower me in love, and light, and their amazing company. To exist in a well tended garden cultivates a gratitude so profound it can only erupt from me in joyful colors painted with hugs, laughter, and happy tears like sacred rain upon parched earth.
- gws
Asking for help often feels like failure
Like challenging my shame to a duel
Dueling with my shame is graceless and ugly
Inflicting a million tiny self-judging cuts
To my compromised self-esteem
I try to grab onto the radiating love
When the call for help is answered
Letting that love eclipse my shame
Transmute that shame with humble gratitude
Into worthiness
I know those who offer their support
Do so selflessly because to them I am worthy
Even when I don’t feel so
-gws
Tell me the story of becoming friends
My mind's well versed in remembering ends
But beginnings are better stories to tell
Yet my memory fails to recall half so well
How the meeting between a you and a me
Led to becoming a fun-seeking "we"
Maybe there's details you only recall
Enchant me by telling every moment of all
The things that connected my soul to yours
The reasons you walked through my open door
I'll sit at your feet with my chin in my hands
And listen intently as you meet my demands
To share the hilarious things that ensued
Which inextricably linked a me to a you
-gws
A friend said to me,
“Remember you didn’t cause it.
You couldn’t have prevented it.
You have nothing to feel guilty for.
It is okay to grieve.
There is much to grieve,
But do not confuse grief with guilt.”
I did not know how much I needed
These words until they were spoken.
-gws
Friends...
Hold me up when the weight of my world
Causes my knees to buckle
Sing truth to my inflamed mind
When the noise of living trauma
Drowns my ability to reason
Gentle
Patient
Empathetic
Sometimes sharp but never cruel
My lighthouse in stormy waters
My safety net when the trapeze breaks
My light in the darkest and longest nights
Voicing wisdom I need at the right time
In the right way
Through the right person
Another conduit through which
My Goddess speaks to me
All of them a blessing I can never
Craft adequate words to encompass
So important and special
Their glow is to my night sky
-gws
Love you! Miss you!
Let’s figure out how and when we can exist in the same space together for a while because my soul needs some YOU energy like my skin needs sunshine!
-gws
It's easy for me to imagine how you might be rolling through all kinds of emotions. I'll hold space for you. I'll sit with you in the quiet of your storms. I'll be your safety whether you're overwhelmed or just contemplative. I've sat with you through hard things before, and I will do it again. -gws
Your birthday has arrived again An honored remembrance of the day When your spirit debuted into the world In a sacred vessel made of water and earth A joyous day, indeed Your value is beyond measure Your insight has no equal You cast no shadow upon the ground For you are a source of light Full of humor and mischief Love and compassion There is no one else like you And let it be known how honored I am To call you, Friend -gws
Yesterday I saw a friend for the first time in a long time. Although it hadn't been terribly long, a lot of life happened for both of us since I last saw them. We hugged each other fiercely, as if quenching a long neglected thirst. The power of the moment, the energy and emotion that flew across the room and into my unknowingly needful arms was surprisingly welcome. Everything stopped for a few heartbeats as we existed in the silent contentment of a deeply longed for and comforting embrace. They are kindred. Family. Precious to me in ways I have no need to explain. Being with them is like sipping sweet water for my soul. Time together is always precious and seems never long enough. I look forward to the next visit together. -gws
Blue skies Music blasting Windows down Freedom Miles of laughter Girlfriends Confessions and secrets Worry free Enjoying life Road trippin' -gws
Words Wishes and Wisdom 