Remembering a Girlfriend ... Celebrating Anne-Marie

It was a strange week. High and low points hitting on the same day. An emotional roller coaster kind of week. (Thankfully I have my girlfriends to join me on this wild ride called 'life!')

On a high point, it was my birthday and I got lots of calls, cards and attention. I had a fun lunch with my gal pal Becky ("the kitchen goddess" and hopefully the next Food Network Star!). After an art gallery visit, we had a very nice dinner with my roommate from college, Barb, and her husband Steve. There were gifts, quality time with friends and time to celebrate life and friendships. It was a good day. Well sort of ...

Several years ago I decided to have my long hair (below my waist since about second grade) cut off. It was pretty drastic and deserved some support which Anne-Marie and Cath offered. Cath arranged the appointment and went with me. Anne-Marie showed up with a brown paper bag. In it was a party! Wine, cheese, snacks - we had quite an afternoon at the salon! It made it memorable and fun. (And I donated my hair to Locks of Love so it benefited someone else.) I love the memories of that day and smile thinking back to that hair-cutting party in the salon with Anne-Marie and Cath.

As much as my girlfriend Cath didn't want to share the news with me on my birthday, she had to. I wanted to know. Our mutual friend Anne-Marie died on my birthday. Anne-Marie courageously fought Hodgkin's Lymphoma for six years. She was strong, sassy, friendly, funny and so caring.

Cath wins the great girlfriend award for being by her side for the final weeks of her life, as she had for the 18 previous years. She had some amazing conversations with both Anne-Marie and her family. She generously gave her time, love and support. In the end, there are sweet and sad memories to celebrate. But celebrate it is, because she was here to bless many, many lives.

I know with girlfriends, that generally the happy times far exceed the sad but I am thankful for and humbled by the gifts of love that girlfriends give each other. From spending time making something little like a haircut into a party, to holding onto each other during tough times. As shared in the most recent podcast (amazing stories of the winners of the recent Girlfriendology contest), girlfriends have been there for each other through loss of a spouse, moves and financial struggles, illness, etc. As challenging as life is, we really couldn't do it alone. We need our girlfriends.

If it is a birthday or a bad day, be there for your girlfriends. Happy or sad, healthy or not, loved or lonely - girlfriends make it much better. Try it. Share your life with a friend and allow her to share her 'real' life with you too. Hold onto the important things in life ... like the friend who is there for you no matter what. Celebrate your friendships and memories of wonderful people who bless your life. Thanks girlfriends. Thanks Anne-Marie and thanks Cath!