Lean on Me

I'm sure you've heard the song, "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers.

Have you ever really listened to the lyrics? The song recently came into my head as I was thinking of how grateful I am for a certain friend of mine. And so I decided to look up the lyrics.. and read them, really read them. I think they fit our friendship to a "T"! :)

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain

We all have sorrow

But if we are wise

We know that there's always tomorrow

Lean on me, when you're not strong

And I'll be your friend

I'll help you carry on

For it won't be long

'Til I'm gonna need

Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride

If I have faith you need to borrow

For no one can fill those of your needs

That you won't let show

You just call on me brother, when you need a hand

We all need somebody to lean on

I just might have a problem that you'll understand

We all need somebody to lean on

Lean on me, when you're not strong

And I'll be your friend

I'll help you carry on

For it won't be long

'Til I'm gonna need

Somebody to lean on

One of my college friends, Kristina, we met in nursing classes some years back. We lived down the hall from each other, we lived above and below each other in the dorms, we were roommates in our first apartment, we lived across the state from each other, then we lived states away from each other, and now we live again across the state some hours away... but even when minutes or hours, or states separated us, we always stayed so close. I am so very blessed that God has chosen us for each other, as best friends. We've have helped each other during so many different seasons of our lives... some happy, some sad, some difficult, some easy. We've cried tears together, and laughed until our sides hurt! I don't know how I would have gotten through some things in my life without her listening ear, or encouraging words, or the many hugs given over the phone.  And the prayers we've said together, or the many many we've said for each other. We are living similar stages in life, and I think that is one of the reasons we are able to connect in so many ways. We've had some pretty fun and crazy adventures together over the years! So many memories that I will treasure forever! I'm sure others think we are a little crazy if they were a fly on the wall, but those crazy, silly times is what life is all about! It's friendship coming alive! Love being shared. With distance and opposite schedules being a difficulty in getting together, we usually only see each other once or twice a year... but this year has been different for no specific reason, just how it's been happening. And it's been so fun! We've been lucky to see each other three times this past month! It's been so fun!! From branding cattle, to burying our toes in the sand at the lake, to College World Series and the Zoo, and then our latest venture of renting kayaks! And let me tell you... it was quite the experience, and we must have looked like pros since two different people on two separate days, came and asked for advice, saying we looked like professionals! :) We sure didn't tell them it was our first time kayaking when asked if we recommend the kayaks we had for beginners... but of course we convincingly said, "These are Great for beginners!!" We knew that for sure! Haha!! :)
Enjoy the pictures!

The new splash pad at the zoo...  Can I just say, so glad we are kids at heart! :)

Getting read to round them up! 

If only they knew what was coming next....

The brand!

Because of last years injury.... I decided to let the guys do the throwing this year! :)

My friend, Paul, showing them how it's done! 

Perfect!

Kristina's first time!! :)

You may be able to take the girl out of the country, but you can never take the country out of the girl!! 

Let the nurses give the shots! :)

This saying used throughout history... Latin for "Don't let the bastards grind you down!" 

Wide Open spaces.... means Beauty!

The group!! :)

:)

We can clean up nice too! 

Perfect day at the lake!!

Sunday morning, after church....

Flowers are a perfect background!

Zoo time.. butterflies are beautiful, inside and out!

Stingray petting pool! :)

Aquarium

I could watch these guys all day! :)

I was so excited to meet our new elephants!!

The new African exhibit...

We could get so close to the giraffes!

Oh, how I miss you being here CWS!!!

Go Team Go!!! :)

Perfect night!

Never a bad seat!

These clouds!

In our Sunday best... and no, we didn't plan our outfits! :)

Got to see my mom too!!

New adventure... renting kayaks! :)

Peacefulness

Our own little picnic grill-out. :)

Can't forget the marshmallows!

Can't go without a fireworks show on the 4th!!

Day 2...

These glasses we got last year when celebrating the 4th in DC... so of course they had to come back out again this year!! :)

These canals were so fun to venture through!

We loved this cattail we found... 

Oh this... someone decided to have a little fun the night before in the outhouse... at least it took away the usual outhouse smell! ;)

It was so fun, getting close to all the nooks and crannies to find these turtles!

These clouds were picture perfect!

Catching a few rays.

So pretty much we have made the most of our time together!! (I warned you I take lots of pictures.... I only had to clear more space on my phone a couple times!) :) We were talking, and hope someday when we get married, we can have these adventures all together with our husbands and families! How awesome would that be!! :)

And as always, Dr Seuss says it best, "We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, We join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it Love" (or friendship).