Pssst… just peeking out from under blankets, kleenex {kleenexes?}, books and honey lemon tea to croak out a hello. My daughter waves too, as she’s snuggled in next to me with the same sniffly sneezy fevery virus. Right now I pause the Barbie movies and Say Yes to the Dress re-runs to share a story below. I pray it gives you a bit of friendship encouragement for your heart!
I’m out of breath from hurrying {though I’m still late} and forcing my stubborn side-by-side double stroller up the hill to the playgroup location, an indoor playground. I’m nervous, too, since I’m visiting for the first time. I heave the heavy door open and awkwardly bang the stroller against the frame a half a dozen times before making it through. Once inside and settled, I approach moms and chat as best I can while wrangling waggling toddlers. I finally realize this familiar, established sorority isn’t interested in pursuing conversation with me beyond introductions.
A short while later, I find a local mom’s group. Soon after joining, I volunteer to host a meeting in my home. I clean house, cook snacks, and wrestle kids. Then I wait as not. one. person shows up.
These and other friend discouragements found me thiiiis close to putting a sign in my yard saying, “Desperate woman seeks friends!” If there had been a way to do it without looking so, ya know, desperate I would have done it. After all, I had the poster board and markers.
It did take {a whole lotta} time, but I finally made friends. And lo and behold, I didn’t have to put a sign up in my yard to find them. Continue here?
I needed to read this today. It put words to a lot of what I’ve been feeling, a little friendship dry. A little tired of wondering how to go about making friends and I’m inspired to keep doing what I’ve been doing. Showing up at the playgroups, reaching out to other moms/women, and talking to God about it.
While I don’t have lots of girl-friends close by, I’m so grateful for blogs like this that I stumble upon and get that bit of encouragement. =)
Thank-you.