(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection - Letter to the Editor)

When someone tells you that you look nice you say, thank you. What do you say when they compliment you on what you mean to them? When they tell you how you’ve helped them through tough times, how should you respond?

I have a few friends who have lived through much harder things than I have ever known. One friend saw her first husband through cancer until he died. Then she laid her second husband to rest after he suffered with Alzheimer’s. After he died, she was hounded by his children that she didn’t do enough. My question is where were they during that time? Another friend has an up and down relationship which keeps her upset. She lives on her own. She is even buying a home on her own, doing repairs and everything that comes with it. A third friend went from being wealthy in another country when she was young to being middle aged, divorced with a special needs child, doing it alone in her new country

Well, today it struck me; I should be telling them how very much they mean to me. I should be telling them how much stronger they are than me because I don’t know that I could do what they have done. I’ve never had to be alone. I made my choice when I was young and have been lucky enough or blessed enough to still have my husband by my side.

Today I called one of them and told her how much I appreciated her. I told her how she was so much stronger than she was when we started talking about her troubles and we got close again. I let her know how much stronger she is than I could ever be. I made sure she knew how much I value our friendship. Before day’s end I had talked with all three of them.

This is the way I want to approach my friendships from now on. I’ll try to put my feelings out there for them to understand they are needed, too. A true friendship should go both ways, shouldn’t it? Please let the people in your life know how much they mean to you. It’s nice to receive a compliment but it can be even nicer to give one.

Until next time,

Bonita (Bonnie) Eaton

Vienna