God's little helpers

As you all know, I lost my sister last July. But I didn't just lose a sister I lost my best friend. We talked everyday and spent probably 5 of 7 days together. When I had a problem, she always had the solution. When life was unbearable, she had the hug I needed. When I just wanted to complain, she listened. I miss the phone calls that always ended with I love you. I know that I will never stop missing her until I see her again and those of you that were there to help me through it know that I always said I don't know how I will survive without her. God knew I would need help and sent it in the form of my friends.
This past Saturday I went to a women's conference with Delilah and her sister. Delilah has been my friend for 3 and a half years. She has seen me through some of the best times but also some of the worst. We have cried as many times as we have laughed together. We have a "just be yourself" relationship. She has helped me to come out of my shell a bit because there is nothing shy about her. She has helped me understand my teenager because that was the line of work she was in. We have shared stories about our husbands, families, and kids. We have had our share of differences but have still remained very good friends.
Sunday after church I met up with my friend Laurie and her family at the park. Laurie and I used to be inseparable. Our old boss used to call us "two gumbas." Where one was the other wasn't far behind. She was my line dancing partner, we spent our share of time at the Boot Scootin Saloon, kicking up our heels. That was 12/13 years ago, we for some reason or another lost touch. Last Christmas, we bumped into each other and I gave her my number. She called and we have been staying in touch talking about old times and of our present times. She has 2 boys now and we have found that we still have quite a bit in common even if we have forgotten how to dance!
Monday night I had plans to get a drink with Cassie. Things didn't work out as we had planned so we met at my house. So, with all my kids and a smelly dog, we talked and drank wine. I used to work with Cassie 14 years ago at Rizzi's with Laurie. We laughed about old times, shared some new stories, took some not so good pictures which you can see at her blog. She got to see the way it is at my house with no clue what she was getting into. She stayed until almost 10 and didn't seem scared off by my crazy kids...I think I even heard her say she can't wait until our kids meet.
I am excited about the opportunity to reconnect with Laurie and Cassie, hopefully we will build stronger relationships.
I also meet my friend Julie every week and I have loved getting to know her. She and I have so much in common, from step kids to just plain crazy families. We could talk for hours. Sometimes, my old friend Marcia meets us and we get the chance to catch up.
I have never had a lot of friends but I am thankful for the friends I have. They are all so different but strangely alike. I need friends in my life, not to take the place of my sister, but to help me get through life without her. They are the hug I need when I am having a bad day, the smile when I am sad, and some of them even tell me they love me. They each play a different role in my life and I believe they are Gods way of letting me know that He hasn't forsaken me. Even though He has taken my sister, He has given me other people to help me make it through day by day.