Reflections on friendship

When I moved to Cork six years ago I didn't know anyone that wasn't associated with Greenfingers. I didn't find any girly friends for myself. These I sadly left behind in Dublin, or others had already moved to other countries. So there were many weekly phonecalls across the miles that divided us and wonderful reunions when we went to Dublin or had visitors to the "real capital". But I needed girls close by, that I could call into and be Me with.

And then Acorn was born...and I connected firstly through a wonderful website here...and then with the mothers and their babies in flesh. We have shared so much together, opened up about everything to do with motherhood, parenting and just life in general. We have given support, encouragement and hugs, daily. We have had countless playdates, parties and nights out without our little ones. I honestly could not have survived these last two years as relatively intact as I am without these women.

It saddens me though when I think of my wonderful friends in Dublin. That because of distance and time I have not been able to involve them as much in this huge part of my life. But they are all still so dear to me. They were part of my formative teenage years, and through my twenties. They were my support throughout my courting of Greenfingers, a testing journey in itself. They have always been at the end of the phone, willing to meet when we go to Dublin, responsive to texts asking for prayer, quick to comment to facebook updates and photos.

I almost feel guilty that I am betraying them by finding other friends! But I know they would only want me to be happy and not sitting at home with Acorn feeling lonely.

So to my long-term friends, thank you for always caring, for pursuing our friendship despite the miles.

And to my new-found friends. Thank you for accepting me and encouraging me through this rollercoaster. Do you realise that you are the answer to years of prayers?! Funny that it took becoming a mum to find you all!

Three isn't a crowd

There are three of us in our marriage. It is a relief. If it was just me and Greenfingers it would be a disaster. Thankfully we have a third cog in our marriage wheel who causes unrest in our hearts when we are being overly selfish, mean , impatient or thoughtless. If this voice didn't exist we might have fallen apart a long time ago. We are thankful that we know a real God who gives us grace each day, offers us unconditional love, constantly pushes us to be better people, to be more like Him. I admire Greenfingers for striving to me a better man, a more loving husband, to understand me more.
On our wedding day six years ago we didn't just make wedding vows to each other, we made a covenant with God. And that promise will last "til death do us part".