I've spent the last few days working 12-13 hour work days trying to get everything finished for the updates on my products. I've spent hours in front of the computer, gotten a lot done and felt completely drained at the end of it.
Then, today, as I'm finally coming up for air, I saw it. A friend who had taken a break from our community posted to a listserve that she was needing some love. She missed her friends and she needed some support.
Now I haven't had time to check this list in some time. I've just been too busy for the last few months. It's been critical factor things only. But today I realized - this IS the critical factor stuff. If I never type another blog post or write another book or update another product, that's OK. So long as I have the air in my lungs and the strength in my hands to be able to do what I did for her.
I picked up the phone and called. And when the answering machine picked up, I sang to her. There's a little song that she and I alone share. And that's what makes it special. That's part of our connection - something she has with no one else. We didn't plan it that way, it just happened. And every time we see each other, we sing this song together. I haven't heard from her in over a year. And yet, when the time came for me to leave my message of support, this song came bursting forth from my lips onto her answering machine because I knew in my heart it was the gift that only I could give. "Oh the wonderful thing about Tiggers is Tigger's a wonderful thing...!"
When I saw your title.... family popped to mind. Then I read your story and well, my "family" includes lots of friends. You were a great friend when you left that song. I know she appreciated it.
Time is precious - we need to spend as much time as possible with our family - schedule a time each week to do something special together!