Many years ago, I had to make a decision about who I could trust as my friends and as my mentors. Someone who I thought was my best friend betrayed me and left me with broken feelings. My wise daddy talked to me and gave me some wonderful advice. I made a decision then to pray about choosing my friends wisely. I have made mistakes, but I learned God will steer me in the right direction if I listen and follow His Voice. When the same thing happened to my sweet Heather and later to my precious Clyde, it became evident to me how important it is to choose our closest friends with care and prayer.

My people are the ones who stay by my side when the party is over, when trash covers the tables and everyone else is packing up to go home and when the excitement has stopped, and the chattering of conversation has turned to silence. They are the ones who stay and ask if they can help. They are the ones who are there when there is no fun to be had, only work to be done. They are not living to be the life of the party, but simply to be a part of my life.

They are the ones who are by my side when everyone else has forgotten. They are the ones who are there when everyone else has gotten tired of my crying. They are the ones who let me grieve, and hold my hand while I mourn. They are there through the rough, and the tough, and the waiting until I can get back up and walk and be myself again. They stay and celebrate and clap when I win and stand at the finish line to give me a hug because they genuinely want good for me. They are with me through those major life events, when things get turned upside-down, when there is no easy fix, when all I need is one friend to understand. They are with me through my losing, winning, and all the times in-between. They are with me when I am on top of the mountain, and when I am stumbling through the valley. They stay and pray when I am still down at the alter. They stay and praise when I am in victory-phase, and give grace and forgive when I fall flat on my face.

My people push me to be better than the person I was yesterday. They encourage me to shine brighter, and love harder. They tell me the truth when everyone else does not have the courage to give it to me straight. They believe the best and are with me through the worst, because they know after every storm God sends a rainbow and sunshine.

My people are with me even when it is not easy, not fun, not convenient. While some people sway back and forth with their opinions of who they think I am and what they think I should be doing. While everyone loves me for a brief moment, and then forgets all about me when something better comes along, I have to keep my head up and my heart open and look for the ones who remain with me. Those are my people.