Have you ever had one of those days where you’ve had enough?
Enough
- laundry
- sickness
- fatigue
- busy-ness
- stress
- loneliness
- depression
- and ‘stuff’ …. to last you a lifetime?
Have you ever been there? Longer than just a day? To the point you thought if you uttered one word to anyone about it, that you’d explode into a tirade of rambling tearful outpouring you weren’t sure you could stop it (much less do so and maintain even an ounce of grace and dignity); and worse, you had no one to really and truly share such thoughts with?
Where you woke up one day, looked around at your life and realized you had acquaintances and no true friends. That you are the square peg in the round hole you always heard tell about. The thought of trying to fit in where you knew you couldn’t seems almost too much to overcome.
I have talked with a lot of women like this. The majority of women I talk to say that a friend is one thing they really wish they had. A true friend. That best girl friend that you can call and share things with, do things with. Someone who will stick by you – no matter what. Who will be by your side in good times and bad. Who shares in your joys and your sorrows. Someone who regularly takes time out for you; and you for her.
Even though we are grown women, with husbands and families – we still need at least one true girl friend.
I say my husband is my best friend, because he is. I tell him anything – whether he wants to hear it or not. 
But truth be told, he hears it, in part, because I don’t have a true girlfriend. I have many friends – some closer than others, but no one I would call my best friend.
Today – that grieves me.
Yes, I have Jesus – and He comforts me. My husband listens to me – patient man that he is. But there are some things that only a girl friend can know and truly appreciate. If you’re a woman, you know what I mean.
Today I am profoundly missing my best friend. I don’t know who she is, or where she is. I just miss her.
Do you have a best friend? Have you been best friends since childhood? Or when and where did you meet your best friend? Today, I need to hear your best friend stories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Written by Traci Knoppe ©: Aside from her roles as wife, mother of six, mother-in-law and grandmother, Traci also works at home as a business owner.
I’m sorry you are missing your best friend, but glad you have a husband who cares enough to be a substitute from time to time.
I met my best friend, Robin, in 1983. She was murdered in 1998. We enjoyed 14 years of wonderfulness. We makde plans that will never come to fruition, but the time we had as best friends was rich and vibrant. I have made many friends since, all of them wonderful in their own way. But it’s Robin whom I miss when life is extra good and extra bad.
I hope you find your friend today!
Traci – that is moving and so true for so many women. I do have a best friend and I can tell her anything. When I know I’m wrong in something I said, or an action I took, I pick up the phone and call my friend Lee. She can be gently unemotional and always in her way, might suggest an apology or a right action to take. And she always laughs at my jokes – I love her laugh! While we are almost polar opposites, we have been friends for almost 20 years. We count on each other and we’re there for the joy and the sorrow. I hope you find a Lee.
I understand completely what you are saying. I have had many best friends in the past, but I find myself longing for the best friend I don’t seem to have right now. I miss her too. Maybe we should become best friends.
Traci {{{hugs}} In the 140-character, “I am great! How are you?” world we live, true friendships are rare. I faced my own “missing my best friend” moment when I was in the midst of chemotherapy.
I found her and unlocked the door of my own heart — which allowed me to discover friends and to deepen the friendship I already had. And I just wrote about that … http://tinyurl.com/dk9g4h
And … At the risk of sounding ever-so trite … I count you as a friend and a precious gift from our Abba Father. Who really should do coffee with fresh cream more often! http://traciscottage.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif
Nope, no real friend here. I am at the point where I can spread out my talking though, a little with a sister, a little with my husband, a little with my parents, a little with an online friend and that works for now.
Thank you ladies for your posts today. They helped me feel a bit better. At least I know I’m not alone – which I already knew, but still… good to hear others’ stories too.
Stargardener: coffee & cream tomorrow morning (via Twitter)? I’ll bring the donuts!
[...] wrote out a big long comment at Traci’s Christian Cottage ™ today, which was lost when I hit submit because our network sucks at work. I was writing about how [...]
I typed out a nice long comment this afternoon, and my work network ate it. Reminds me why if it’s long, I type it in Word or Notepad first.
I miss my best friend too. We’ve been friends since 10th grade. Neither of us stayed in our hometown, but I also left the state. I tried to get her to move to NC after her divorce, but since she hasn’t yet, we have to settle for phone calls, emails, and actually seeing each other a couple times a year when I go home to visit. God put us in each other’s lives, and it was no chance meeting.
Traci, I can so relate to what you’re feeling. When my husband’s company moved us to Virginia I found myself longing for a best friend and sister in Christ. I can remember the day I prayed and asked God to bless me with one or two best friends and less than a month later he blessed me with two. I pray He’ll do the same for you. I know He is able.
Yup, I can so relate to that, every day!
Praying for you!
Traci, Thank you for articulating what I have struggled to define for a while now. I long for that one true girlfriend. Someone to chat with on the phone, go to coffee with, pray with, shop with. Though, at this point I would be happy for someone to return a call… anything!! I am missing her too. Whoever she is…
I happened upon your blog yesterday and I think this post is one of the reasons I found your blog. Thank you for posting this and opening your heart.
I have been enlightened by your message and somehow can relate to you. Thank you.
I have a lot of friends (girl friends) but there is someone whom I am really comfortable with – just being me when I am around her (naughty, crazy, loud!, foolish, what else?). Nothing to hide but just being me when we are together. Because she is a person who will never judge you no matter what – she will look at you thru the eyes of Jesus. Those eyes that are full of love, understanding (eventhough there are times it is difficult to understand me) and compassion. It refreshes me every time I am with her, talk about so many things in life – the joys, sadness, frustrations, trials, you name it…. I am blessed to have her in my life. She’s a rare jewel to find.
She is someone you want to grow old with. Someone your husband/partner will be jealous of.
But aside from her I have a friend whom I you always miss. Wishing that she is near me – just within reach.
Just thought of sharing it with you.
Hi Traci,
Your post really brought some things ‘home’ for me. Yes, I do have a best friend and we talk about anything and everything. While I don’t have a bunch of girlfriends, having my bestfriend is something I truly cherish.
It’s also really great that your hubby is your bestfriend, my hubby was mine too but he passed away 7 years ago – I miss that friendship so much!