Hopefully, there will come a time in your life that you will be blessed enough to meet someone who inspires you to be a better person. I know this statement is somewhat cliché, but there really are no better words to describe that feeling.
Unlucky for me, I ONLY met this person a few years ago. I have always been plagued with intense anxiety since I was a child and it only got worse for me once I had my own children; it was often debilitating at times. My friend, unbeknownst to her, was a ray of sunshine. Her rational thought process towards negative circumstances in life are unfaltering. She can just step back from any situation and calmly and consciously look at the situation without judgement. Her intentions are never fraud, she knows what she wants out of life, knows how to treat people with respect, and she knows that, at the end of the day, life is good and she is grateful for it. My friend is a mother. My friend is always present in the moment. If any other mothers are reading this, then you know that is really INSPIRING and difficult. My friend is humble and she practices forgiveness. She is a loving wife, sister, daughter and friend. They say real friends not only stick with us as we grow, but they also make us want to be better versions of ourselves. Friends aren't just confidants, but role models. Through their example, their kindness and other attributes, genuine friends bring out the best in us - which is one of the greatest gifts they could ever give us. I am grateful for her friendship and her sincerity. Happy birthday my friend, I want you to know that, through seeing this in you, it inspires me to do these things for myself. Xo
-Erika
