Invisible Friends...Part 2

As I settle in for my quiet time, meditation music playing in my ears, I keep reflecting on what I wrote earlier tonight about Invisible Friends.

There is more.

So much more.

The advantage to a computer screen is first impressions differ from the first impressions we experience in our "real" world.  I can not immediately make assumptions based upon the way you look.  I won't be forming a response as a person is speaking.  Instead, I am reading, understanding (hopefully), and then responding.  People take turns.  I can ask for clarification and actually receive it.  It actually takes time to form an opinion on whether this is a person you want to share your world with.

In doing so, as said before, I have formed extremely close friendships with women I normally would not approach on the street.  And I have benefited greatly from that.

I have learned patience.  In the way I interact with people on the job, with my children, with my family, with my spouse.

I have learned how to be a better parent.  We have an un-named book of parenting in our circle.  We reference it often.  We try things out, we toss them.  We bounce ideas, punishments, motivations off each other.  We gain insight from those who have experienced it already.  We lovingly support each other's children, feeling as if we are all aunties or guardian angels to each other's offspring.  We celebrate the milestones.  We worry like 25 mother chicks over one egg.  We anxiously await what happens when one of us pees on a stick.  We cry when there is loss.  I am better to my own children, because I am surrounded by the 25 best mothers I've ever known.

I am inspired by their creativeness.  I celebrate their talents.  Their photography, teaching, sewing, entrepreneurship, writing, craftiness, beauty routines, and so many other talents and skills.  I have my own tailored women's magazine at my fingertips through my circle of friends.  They are inspiring.  They motivate me to practice my own skills and better myself.

I learned how to grieve.  Through each of our losses, in the support we offer each other, I have been able to celebrate the lives that have left my own world.  Through our circle of love, I have been able to let go, say goodbyes, and lean on their incredible strength when I am at my lowest.

I have learned spirituality.  As an atheist, it would be easy to scoff at religion.   But our circle has taught me differing religions and views.  It has shown me true faith.  I have seen the embodiment of Christianity.  I love them more for it, than if they were women who believed the same as me.  It has taught me a respect for differing belief systems, even when they don't agree with my own.

I have embraced "letting go".  Because of my dear friends, I am less mired in the ills of the world.  I have been taught what is truly important in our precious lives, and that is the relationships we form, and the impact we have upon people.  In a world mired in negativity, they shine brightly and above all things.

I have learned the various ways of educating our youth.  From private schools, homeschoolers, cyberschool, public schools, and all the problems that can go with each, I have also learned what the positives are.  I have seen how each child learns differently, watched their children blossom with how they each choose to educate.  I have reached for help when I feel like the daily drudgery of school is more than I can handle, and I have gotten answers and help I would normally have sought for much longer.  They are each a teacher in their own right, not just in relationship to their own children, but to all of ours as a whole, as we teach each other in so many ways.

I have learned how to forgive.  And be forgiven.  They have shown me how to set boundaries, and not feel guilty for it.  I have learned what a heartfelt apology really is.  I have been hurt.  I have loved enough to be hurt and then forgive.  And to move on.  They taught me that incredibly valuable lesson.

I have learned about bigotry and racism.  The difficulties of keeping marriages together.  The stresses of military families.  I have been taught lessons on things I could never experience myself.  The diversity of our circle has helped cement our bond.   I would never have developed empathy for certain things without these women in my life.

I'm sure there is so much more I will think of once I actually post this, but the meditation music is quickly becoming the sleepy music.  Wrapping up, for all the ills of the internet, it has given me something that life in a small rural town would never have been able to give me.  My invisible friends have given me the precious gift of constantly becoming the best person I can be.  They improve my world, and what I put out into the world.

Priceless, my dear friends.

You are priceless.