After my daughter’s friends sleep over… these are the kinds of pictures I find on my camera. Two of these friends she has known since birth, another since she was 3, they all might as well be sisters.

I had friendships like these when I was a kid. A bond that seemed unbreakable. Friends who’d stay up all night giggling with you. Until our parents moved us away from each other. The 60 klms which separated us, might as well have been 6,000 miles.  

This was decades before the power of Social Media which I believe helps people keep in touch, for the most part, but it can’t replace real life friends!  

Good friends are very important. The bond between best friends is not only precious and worth protecting but also good for your health!

Good friends help increase your sense of belonging and purpose and help boost your happiness. They help improve your self-esteem, offer unconditional support and help reduce the stress in your life by helping you cope with traumas you experience.

Studies from the Mayo Clinic show that friendships can have a major impact on your health and well-being. Findings from a UCLA study showing that a woman’s “social nature” reduces her risk of disease and lowers her blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol.

In the wise words of Bette Midler… “You got to have friends to make that day last long.”

On this #ThankfulThursday…. call up your BFF…. send out a Tweet… leave them a Facebook message for all to see, do something to say THANK YOU to those in your life who have been there for you over the years.

I made this video after losing my Father-in-Law back in 2011 to thank all the people who helped us through his sickness, death and funeral. How many people do you know who will stay awake with you all night long while you rub your Father-in-Law’s back and legs and help you get him to the washroom and to get dressed?? Thank you especially to Colleen for keeping me company those long and hard nights. Thank you to Donna for cutting Dad’s hair and to Diane and Darlene for the food. Thanks to all of our New Song Church family for their kindness and support during this time and to the Mischuk family for banding together under such pressure.

The battle with his estate is still on-going, so during this emotionally and financially draining time, I need replay this clip as a daily reminder of the great friendships in my life.