Thursday, April 7, 2011

F is for Friends

When I sat down and did some initial mapping of what topics I would be using throughout this month, I decided to make an effort to talk about the most important things I could think of within the confines of the challenge.  Of everything I have planned, this is by far the most important.

I have lived a hard life.  That isn't me going for pity.  That is me being mature enough to not be ashamed or afraid of what I have endured.  It's not easy to discuss; people look a you differently, treat you like you're either broken or making it all up.  You learn to not talk about it.  Ever.

I can tell you with absolute certainty that if it weren't for my friends, I would be dead right now.  It might have been an accident, it might have been an overdose, but it probably would have been a suicide.

I had a psychologist friend point out to me once that my childhood was a textbook serial killer-maker.  You have my friends to thank for me not running around naked wearing your face on my face right now.

I don't mean to paint the picture that I'm a barely contained psychopath, just waiting for a nudge to send me into a shame-fueled cannibalism spree.  I'm really not.  Because of my friends.  They took me, and they showed me acceptance, kindness, and love that I didn't know could exist.  They made me better.  Not just more stable, they made me a better person.  More kind, more clever, and more confident.

Mind you, I'm still a total weirdo... but so are they... and the wiser I get, the more sure I am that every single one of us is a total weirdo.  And the more sure I am that the world is more beautiful for it.

I owe my friends a debt I will spend the rest of my life repaying, and I totally got the good end of the deal.

I love you guys so much.

Thank you.

What are some amazing things that your friends have done for you?


9 comments:

Ella said...

I am so happy your found a circle of friends that help you through some tough times. I have had a few myself. YOU are right, people don't want to hear it or get uncomfortable. Mine, I think I'll save them for my book. Life is stranger than fiction~

It was a wonderful tribute to your friends, who embraced you through thick n' thin! True Angels~

Ginny in Seattle said...

Wow - "You have my friends to thank for me not running around naked wearing your face on my face right now." That sentence will haunt me for a while on a few different levels. It is brilliant, evocative, and a bit frightening in it's clarity. Your honesty in this post is amazing.

Jenny said...

If only you knew how great a friend you have been in return to those whom you owe your life. We owe ours to you too, I'm sure. Excellent post. I'm proud to be your friend. Always.

Jenny said...

I think I messed up my grammar and wording there, but you know what I mean. ;)

Tracy said...

What a great tribute to your friends - very touching. "wearing your face on my face.." totally cracked me up. That was a a great line.

Adam Jones said...

Thank you, everyone. I wasn't sure how this post would go over. I'm glad that it was appreciated.

Thank you.

Laura said...

I have to take this opportunity to also thank your friends for being there for you;

Thank you to all of Adam's friends! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you and thank you!!!!!!

'Reta said...

Love you

Adam Jones said...

Love you too.

Post a Comment