It's never too late...

I just read an article full of tips to help tackle your to-do list and prevent procrastination.   Reading the article seemed a prefect way to put off my current to-do list!  The first suggestion was to start with the hardest item on your to-do list, the one you are most dreading.

On the top of my to-do list for the past four weeks (yes, I know!) has been to contact a friend who told me the week before Christmas that she and her husband lost a baby they were expecting.   I want to reach out to her right then.  To say I’m so sad for them.  Tell her she has been on my mind almost daily.  But in the hustle and bustle of the holidays I didn’t get around to it.  Then after the New Year, kids went back to school, things were busy with work, and I still didn’t send her a message.  I continue to drive past her house almost daily and think about her, and her lose, and the precious baby she will never hold.  But it’s been so long now since she shared this information with me, I feel guilty for not getting back to her sooner.

Right now I’m thinking too much about me, and my guilt and shame, and it’s NOT ABOUT ME.  It’s about her.  And I’m sure she’s still hurting from her loss and she needs friends close right now.

So right now, I just sent an email to her.  It was short and to the point.

“Are you free for lunch this week?  Tuesday and Wednesday are best.  What works for you?

You have been on my mind daily and I’m so sorry it has taken me this long to reach out.

I look forward to giving you a hug soon.”

It’s checked off my list, which is nice for me, but what’s best is that I’ve reached out again.  No, I shouldn’t have taken this long, but I did.  Now I need to move forward and be the best friend I can be.  She is going through a very difficult time and needs support, no matter how long it has been.

No matter what the situation, or how long you have waited, get back in touch, because it’s never too late to be a good friend. 

Only the Best

January 20 is Only The Best Day on WhatFriendsDo.com. There are so many different ways to think about what “only the best” means. My initial thoughts are around wanting to do only the best for my friends when they need my help. If taking a meal, I want to fix only my best recipe, and take it in my best serving dishes. I want to deliver it at the time that is best for my friend. I want the best dessert to be included. I want to create the best possible moments for my friends so they can hopefully relax for just a short time in the midst of their difficult situation.

Another perspective for the day is that we want Only The Best attitude and outcome for our friends. We know times get tough. We know everyone needs a pity party, and sometimes those pity parties last quite awhile. We don’t expect our friends to be giddy about a medical challenge, but we do hope for the best for their ability to cope with the situation. We have to hope for only the best, and know that the best for one person is totally the opposite of the best for another.

When it comes to which friends can/should help, Only The Best gets ruled out in my book. I call my bestest buds my “3am friends” – the ones that if I needed help at 3am I know I could call them and they would help me even at that awful hour. I am very blessed to have a rather long list of 3am friends, and there are some ways that I would want Only The Best friends involved when I need to enlist the help of friends. But there are so many other friends in my life and I know they would want to be part of my journey, just as I would want to be part of theirs in their times of need. That’s why I love the team concept we use on WhatFriendsDo.com . It allows all of those various circle of friends to be involved. The 3am friends can coordinate the help, as they would know what is truly needed. But the best buds don’t need to be fixing all the meals, running all the errands, doing all the laundry. Friendships come in so many different forms, just as friends come with so many different personalities. It is sometimes so amazing to see that a casual friend is often the one who is needed the most.

Whatever Only The Best might mean for you, please take action and either help a friend, get in touch with a friend, or do an act of kindness for a medical staffer. Afterward – guaranteed you will definitely feel your best!

12 Day of Christmas

There seems to be a natural 'let down' after the holidays for many people. Someone going through a difficult life situation may be even more susceptible to wintertime blues. Here's a fun WhatFriendsDo.com way to lift someone's spirits that will also give great joy to all who participate in the giving of this fun gift:

The Twelve Days of Christmas

With very little effort or expense, you can surprise your friend each day for a dozen days with a special gift.   Suggested gifts are listed below.   Attach a card to the gift with the words "Sing It" on the front and the words (below) inside:

Day 1    (December 25)

On the first day of Christmas my WhatFriendsDo Team gave to me sparkling juice from a pear tree.

Gift Idea: 1 bottle of sparkling pear juice

Day 2    (December 26) 

On the second day of Christmas my WhatFriendsDo Team gave to me two turtles/doves.

Gift Idea: 2 chocolate turtles / 2 Dove candy bars

Day 3    (December 27)

On the third day of Christmas my WhatFriendsDo Team gave to me three French breads.

Gift Idea: 3 loaves of French bread

Day 4    (December 28)

On the fourth day of Christmas my WhatFriendsDo Team gave to me four calling cards.

Gift Idea: 4 phone calling cards

Day 5    (December 29)

On the fifth day of Christmas my WhatFriendsDo Team gave to me five donut rings.

Gift Idea: 5 donuts (with holes in the center, of course!)

Day 6    (December 30)

On the sixth day of Christmas my WhatFriendsDo Team gave to me six deviled eggs (the geese made us do it!)

Gift Idea: 6 deviled eggs

Day 7    (December 31)

On the seventh day of Christmas my WhatFriendsDo Team gave to me seven swans a swimming.

Gift Idea: 7 swan cookies on a large cookie (pond) with blue icing

Day 8    (January 1)

On the eighth day of Christmas my WhatFriendsDo Team gave to me eight yummy milk shakes.

Gift Idea: 8 milk shake gift certificates

Day 9    (January 2)

On the ninth day of Christmas my WhatFriendsDo Team gave to me nine lady fingers.

Gift Idea: 9 lady finger cakes

Day 10   (January 3)

On the tenth day of Christmas my WhatFriendsDo Team gave to me ten painted toenails.

Gift Idea: pedicure gift certificate

Day 11   (January 4) 

On the eleventh day of Christmas my WhatFriendsDo Team gave to me eleven pipers piping.

Gift Idea: 11 friends with toy flutes 'serenade' your friend

Day 12   (January 5)

On the twelfth day of Christmas my WhatFriendsDo Team gave to me a twelve drumstick dinner.

Gift Idea: fried chicken dinner with 12 drumsticks