I've already shared on this blog that I'm not really a Girlfriendy Girl. I missed that boat in high school and sort of waved goodbye to it from the noble dock of self-reliance.
Now, thirty-five(ish) years later, I'm trying to figure out how to catch up. Seems it was a party boat I missed, and I'm really regretting it now. Self-reliance is not as fun as I thought it would be!
I've been working on it, slowly. It's really easy for me to become so engrossed in work and family and the busyness of life that I forget to make simple phone calls to check in on my friends. Or I substitute a "Like" on someone's Facebook status for genuine engagement in their lives.
Lame.
I recently turned to Melanie Shankle's book, "Nobody's Cuter Than You" for inspiration, and I'm glad I did!
Amazon: Nobody's Cuter Than You
I found myself reading it with a little bit of a lump in my throat. Well, when I wasn't laughing out loud, that is. So funny, so touching, and just so great on every level. It's just the inspiration I've been looking for.
And since I'm on the "fast track" to becoming more Girlfriendy in order to make up for lost time, I jumped straight to the Appendix 4 on page 219: "Ten Characteristics of a Best Friend."
I love #10:
One any given day, she's your sister, therapist, confidante, mother, nurse, chauffeur, hair technician, clothing stylist, nutritionist, and self-help guru who proclaims that you are good enough, kind enough, and doggone it, people like you. Otherwise known as declaring, "Nobody's cuter than you!"
I should note that my copy of the book was given to my by someone who managed to break through all my self-reliant fences to become my best friend. She went out of her way to have it signed, and I will always treasure that. Here again, I'm learning something: Girlfriends go out of their way for each other.
Today, I'm publicly thanking Melanie for writing her book. I still have a long way to go toward learning this friendship thing, but now I have a vision for the richness ahead of me. It's been a joy - a delight - to read! I hope you'll pick up a copy for yourself...and maybe get one for a friend as well. It's made me celebrate the friendships I already have, and want to deepen then even further.
Let me ask you: do you have girlfriends? Is there someone you know who will pick up the phone to answer when you call? Do you have a friend who will gladly discuss your haircut options, now that your hair's texture has changed due to baby/hormones/menopause/stress?
Because I really need to discuss haircut options with you. Now that we're Girlfriends and all.
