'My Glory Was I Had Such Friends' by Amy Silverstein

January 7, 2018.

Weekend book and a coffee, a relaxing way
to spend my time at home, in the cold.

  HNY. Welcome to 2018. I'm starting January by reading three books within the first three weeks. If I want to reach my goal, reading three books a month is ideal. Also, I'm attempting to take more photos of anything and everything, in an effort to enhance my creative eye. So, let's knock 'em out early each month, and let's keep the camera out of its bag.

  My Glory Was I Had Such Friends by Amy Silverstein was up first, and I appreciate finding this book. Amy taught me how to be a better friend, especially in extreme circumstances. Though she felt as if she was taking too much from her friends rather than giving (we learn Amy has been a tremendous friend and deserves this love and care from her friends), they knew having someone at her side every day, every night of her long hospital stay was necessary. It was imperative to her health, and no one had to think twice about making the sacrifices to do so: taking days off work or working from the hospital room, leaving the kids with the husband or another adult, paying the high rates to change flights, sleepless nights to ensure Amy's well-being during her pacemaker flare-ups... the list goes on. That's what friendship is; it's give-and-take and, sometimes, extreme sacrifice.

  Though I lacked capturing memorable quotes, I did save this one; Robin, one of Amy's friends, explains to Amy she is making the sacrifice for more than just Amy. As in it's a selfish act on Robin's part. But, it makes complete sense to me and is an acceptable act of selfishness.

"We've reached a part of our lives where we want to own our choices and be proud of ourselves -- that's how I see it. We can be better women if we choose to be. And I choose to be here -- even if it makes no difference to you."

  Though I have yet to reach a situation as dire as Amy's, I feel more equipped and able to respond to the needs of friends. We are still young, which hopefully means we have room to improve and correct some actions we made, or maybe when we chose not to act, in the past. That's just one of the many realizations I made when reading this book; we have chances to make amends and to prove ourselves again.

  I also came to the realization that I am blessed with healthy, full-of-life friends. We each must have an angel guiding us away from harm as we grow, travel, explore, and shape who were are as individuals. Especially reassuring for me, our distance doesn't lessen our relationships -- but it can be lessened if we allow the distance to do so. Heck, I'm creating bonds with individuals I have yet to meet in person, living states and continents away, and I see these turning into life-altering friendships.

  Give this book a-go, you'll be glad you did. Happy reading.