Cresting The Hill

Hi, Leanne, I love that you (and others in your timezone) are almost a full day/letter ahead in the 'A to Z Challenge'. It definitely keeps it interesting.
I agree that relationships are one of life's greatest joys. In fact, I believe that they are the meaning of life. Without them, where would we be?

Hari OM
I am grateful for every person who has entered my life, whether for long periods like family, or just a change meeting on a bus or train... some of the most profound moments in life, causing one to think more deeply, see more clearly, come in in the passing acquaitance. Yes, all relationships matter for our growth and comfort. YAM xx

I love the picture.. i agree with you.. strong friendship is greatest gift of life..

Please visit: http://from-a-girls-mind.blogspot.com

I would be lost without my family. I am very close to my daughter and my sisters. My daughter will drive from WV to Oh to spend the weekend with me and so will my sisters. I know I can always count on them.

I think this is my realisation too in my forties that friends and family are far more important that anything else in life. I have also started spending more time and love with them VS my other interests!
Harry Potter by JK Rowling #atozchallenge

I'm so fortunate that I still have both parents & my siblings. Sure I might complain about them from time to time, but boy am I grateful they're there - and for the upbringing I had. Then there are those friends who, in many ways, are closer than family - because they're the ones you've chosen to share parts of you that you don't share with family.

I agree with you Leanne, it's all about family and friends. My family are very important to me and I've realised just how much this year!

Hear hear, Leanne (and the Dalai Lama)! I miss my family and often wish they lived closer (but actually it's me who moved away). Thankful to have my boys nearby, at least for now!!

This is s beautiful post Leanne. I'm very grateful to still have my mother. Family and friends are more important than anything else in life. I have realised that more as I've got older

Family is so important. Most of my family lives far away, so it is easy to let my relationships with them slide. I've been working on that a lot this year.
Melanie's Stories

A real bonus comes when family members are great friends, too. Two weeks before one of my brothers unexpectedly passed away, he told me, "Who would have thought that the oldest son [him] and the youngest daughter [me] would become such great friends." I cherish that.

My favorite line from my favorite movie (It's a Wonderful Life) is "Remember no man is a failure who has friends". I've always loved that quote and value both friends and family tremendously. Weekends In Maine

The lines have blurred over the years between family and friends. I'm so thankful to have family members that have become best friends and friends that have become family.

F&F are definitely very important to me as well. I have a bit of a hard time about "Friends may come and go in life" because my expectation of friends is for them to stay. Recently someone I believed was a good friend, deleted me from Facebook, and when I asked him about it he said I didn't keep in touch. Which is true but come on, life is busy, even if I don't call, I care!?
Happy Weekend!

You've summed up my feeling exactly! I, too, am still enjoying my parents who are in their 80's, my grown children and my grands. Along with friends, they keep me sane, grounded, and feeling loved.
Kimberly
Passing Down the Love A-Z

So very true. There is nothing better than a casual day spent with dear friends and family.

I could not agree more! Family (and friends) are everything.

The older I've gotten, the more I appreciate the blessing of family and friends. They keep us on the right track and lift us up when we're down. And we can do the same for them. Have a great day!

Family has always been super important to me. I have a mixed family with many step relatives, but we are all close and I would do anything for them. I value my friendships too, but it's been harder to keep in touch with people since having my daughter. Some of my friends are at completely different life stages now, so we don't always have a lot to talk about. But there are one or two that I am still close with even if I go long periods without seeing them.

My friendships are vitally important to me. So is family when family behave similarly to good friends.

F is for (The) Faraway Nearby

Leanne, I couldn't agree more. My nearest family member is four-and-a-half hours away, and my farthest is at the other side of the globe - but they are all so important to me. I don't know what I'd do without technology and at least being able to be in contact with them! https://riseandsoar.com/fitbit/

Indeed we are blessed by friends and family.
https://moondustwriter.com/2018/04/06/fun-children-atozchallenge/

When I retired, I moved to be closer to family and friends. It was a great decision! In our new home, we are meeting lots of new friends. One of the benefits of retirement is having more time to invest in relationships.

Jude

I love my Saturday Sisters, Leanne. I believe it isn't the quantity of friends but the quality if the friendship that is important. I do miss my Mum though and haven't had her for over 30 years but I am surrounded by a loving family and will soon have another grandbaby so life is good.

I've got a two-fer: my daughters have become my friends!! It's a wonderful thing. Great post.
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Gail Park

Making Life an Art

A post which resonated with many Leanne.

Thank you for linking up for #lifethisweek 16/52. Next Week’s Optional Prompt: 17/52. School Holidays Memories. 23/4/18 Denyse

I never dreamt that by the time I was in my late 50s that all four of my brothers as well as my sister-in-laws, a nephew, and a whole lot of friends would be gone. I'm 60 now and am appreciating the heck out of those who are here with me. I am still making friends, my daughter is a friend, and I am loving life.