What is a friend and what do friends mean to you?
For me...Where do I begin?

Friends in my life fall into so many catagories...just as my life has.
Childhood friends have been in my life off and on and then there is that handfull that
I have known since diaper dayz! I can't begin to say how blessed I am to have such
good friends for all those years!

Two life long friends, Karen and Dana are still very much a part of my life and
I love them dearly.
They have been there through the years of being young and foolish,
through the dating years, in times of sorrow, elementary and high school, dancing days,
marriages and divorces, health and sickness.You name it...pretty much everything in life 
I have shared with them and they too have shared with me.
How wonderful to have close buddies that you can trust, express your true feelings
and moods.Never have I feared sharing private talk that I would worry of landing in
the ears of others (unless I wanted it too).

Other childhood friends that have retired early in life....my friend Teresa
She'd never forget to call any of her dear friends on a birthday...no matter how
busy are difficult things were going in her own life.She always made you smile
and she had this cuteness about her that was irresitable to all that knew her.
We all miss her dearly but know she's in a sparklier place! ((((Love ya Teresa)))

Friends along the path of life...
Well there have been many...even in my recent holiday to Punta Can (Dominican Republic)
I have met some really kewl people...people that may stay in my life over time or some
that may fade but never the less they became my friends and I shared good times with them.
Even those that worked at the hotel...I have stayed in touch with and have had the chance
to meet twice (since I visted the hotel twice in a matter of 3 months).
Other friends of my path....have been neighbours of the many homes I have lived in
in my lifetime.What a hoot to share good times of our lives with people in our younger
years and have a smile to look back on.Because of those friends...new adventures took place!
Water skiing, mountain climbing, camping, Fondo dinners, road trips and vacations!
One musn't forget some great times in the backyard with the friends...a BBQ and music!

Friends from the hospital...definitely not a path I chose but wouldn't have wanted the
path any different because of those I have met.
Nurses, doctors, patients, and anyone related from this circle....WOW!
From the day I fell ill with breast cancer right up until today I am still in touch with so
many.They all touched my heart deeply and I care for them all.Some contributed to
saving my life....some were doing as I (anything to save our lives).Then there were mothers
of nurses....sisters of patients, that all fell into my friends catagory.During chemotherapy I met
so many people....What a circle of love!

Friends Online....OMG!!! OMG!!! OMG!!!
I'd be here for a lifetime alone.....if I started to name them all! LOL
(maybe another Blog I'll share names)
When it comes to you my friends....I smile always...because you's do that!
You all know who you are and I'm not going to start with names because in
all honesty, there really is just too many. You've all shared friendship with me...
yes I admit...some are closer than others but the bottom line is friends.
You have been kind....funny....and shared some pretty deep moments with
me.Some have stayed in touch continuously and some over a period of time.
Just know I'm always here...and determined to make you's smile!
I may not reply back to e-mails right away and do know this...
sometimes my intentions are to reply....then (CRASH) my brain or activity
gets sidetracked and it completely slips my mind....that happens often
in real life for me too!
But it's nice to know I can sit down here and feel open to share this with you all
and to any other readers....I hope it helps make you all stop for a moment
and think about your friends.....Just don't forget me...LOL

I'd like to mention as well...
Sometimes a friend can (and I don't want to use the word replace) but they can fullfill
the shoes of a family member.I've had many people that I know that have given me
the response in character of a mother, father or a sister (brother too), so that's really awesome
when you also get that out of a friend.(we need it sometimes)

(even X's are friends....my first husband is....the second isn't...lol)

Last off....Geoff, my soul mate
Together for 12 years....a first for me to be myself around.
We make a team...we are the team....love him dearly (A best friend for sure)

Okily dokily...until next time
Love ya friends!
Shay