Did you happen to see this article at Simple Kids yesterday? It's about the three types of friends every parent needs. You should take a minute to click over there and read it before you go any farther. This was my favorite quote from the article:

"We need the kind of support and encouragement that doesn’t come with conditions because parenting, as you know, can be a messy business."

I am not the type of person who has a lot of good friends... acquaintances, yes. I have tons of those! I consider myself outgoing and easy to talk with. When it comes to making life long friends, however, I am very cautious. Life is precious and sometimes short, and I want to make each minute COUNT. As a homeschooling mom I believe it is important for us to have a few girlfriends who we can call at any time and speak our hearts.... after all, we are home with our darlings all day and sometimes those days can get tedious and long.

I love this quote from Socrates... it's one I saw a while back and have been thinking about a lot. I am blessed to have a few friends who are gems. A couple of them do not homeschool their children, and one does. The important thing is that they know me and GET me. They don't criticize or judge me, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt they would never talk behind my back or "thrown me under the bus" (so to speak). Friends like this are rare. In the past these friends have:

sat by my bedside after surgery because I didn't want to be alone, but my husband needed to be with our children
taken my children for the day when I've been recovering from surgery
brought my family an entire "picnic" when we just needed some extra help
supported me in my decision to homeschool, and affirm me by telling me they admire my choice
cleaned up my dog's poop during one of my children's birthday parties (hey - that's a true friend, huh?)
prayed for me when my family was looking for a new church home
sympathized with my hurt and worry when a close family member was going through a horrible divorce
just sat and listened when I needed it the most
put their arms around me to tell me they were praying for me

I could go on and on.... but you get the point. Everyone needs friends, and I think it is of the utmost importance for us moms to cultivate friendships.

I'm choosing not to think about the fact that one of my dearest friends will be moving away in July. I have been with her through the adoption of two children. She has been with me through watching our boys grow up together, teaching my daughter to knit, and listening to me debate the homeschool decision. We became friends through our church, and when that church split we each wound up in a different place, but it did not affect our friendship.

In my life I know I will have just a few "forever friends" ~ for them I am so grateful. Who are your "forever friends"? If you want, leave me a comment and tell me about one of your friends.

*Linking up Tuesday with Five Kids and a Dog for the ABCs of Homeschooling: F is for Friends!