When I moved away from South Carolina, I knew that I was abandoning my hands-on support network but I was embarking on a journey that would define who I was and establish a new support network - hopefully. I was lucky enough to know when to open my life to friends and I treasure those friendships still.
After Chris and I got married, it was hard to find married friends. It is always so easy to hang with people who are in the same place as you. We met a few couples and found that it is rare to find people who are in the same place as you - there are some true crazies out there.
When I decided to stay at home with my children, I worried again about extending our social circle to friends with children and open schedules. Who would I hang with if I don't know anyone in my community with children? Ugh. Again, I was so lucky to know when it was time to open my life to friends and after I joined MOMS Club, I made some forever friends for myself and my children. I am eternally grateful to my sisterhood of fellow mothers who help to love, care for, and nurture my life and the lives of my children. A few of my friends, in particular, would risk their lives for my children as I would theirs. Truly, that is a gift that cannot be measured. We are a village and I know my life wouldn't be as rich as it is without them in it.
These feelings are always more prevalent when I am made to realize how far away my family is. Chris' parents were here for 10 days (they left yesterday). Having grandparents as near as downstairs was so wonderful for me and the boys. Chris enjoyed having his folks here and the boys loved having Nana and Grandad to play with and entertain. I loved having two very capable and enthusiastic individuals step in and lovingly care for the house, yard, and children with wreckless abandon. It was pure bliss. laundry would be folded, dishes would be done, children would be bathed, happy faces, happy home, happy hearts. They are already sorely missed and they haven't been gone for 24 hours yet.
Living 2000 miles from one set of Grandparents and an Uncle and 500 miles from the other set of Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles could make you feel like you are living on an island - relying on your own devices to coordinate care, balance time commitments, and basically fend for yourself. I live on a peninsula - literally and figuratively - and am so lucky to have a network of friends who are so dear, they feel like family.
