Hug Your Friends

My mother met her best friend Carolyn when they were 18. They were roommates in college, and an unlikely pair on the surface--Carolyn the cynic from California and my mother, the small peppy blonde from Tennessee. But their shared wit and love of books and writing and God bonded them and 39 years later they remained fast friends, despite the 2000 miles separating them, despite the nearly 10 years they went at one point having no idea where the other was. Carolyn dropped everything to come to my mother's side last year when my grandmother passed away, and her words were the most comforting to my family of anyone present.

Carolyn (left) with my mom

Carolyn died this morning, her brain strangled by an aggressive
tumor. I think my mom is missing a piece of herself today. I think she always will be.

I'm not blogging about Carolyn's death to bring anyone down. Instead, I just wanted to remind you to tell others that you love that you love them, in whatever way that works for you. Have you told a friend you love them today? I really think you should. Maybe you don't say it enough to someone you see alot. Or maybe you've fallen out of touch with an old friend. Find them. Tell them how much they meant to you. I can almost guarantee there is someone out there who would be thrilled to hear from you after such a long time. Don't be stingy with your love. Your friends--old, current and future--need more of it. And so do you.

Lindsay