I have been blessed to have some very cool, close friends in my life. I can not downplay the importance of these friends. These friends are family; some related by love, some related by blood. And my life is forever enriched by my circle of friends. I am fortunate to be able to add friends and expand my circle. I chose to be inclusive rather than exclusive – and so my circle grows. I am LUCKY. My friends love me, renew me, understand me, touch me. We can laugh, cry, and rejoice together. We have each other’s back. We save seats for each other. We commiserate together. We watch the stars together. We learn about space weather together. We bike together. We travel together. Some of us even play Bridge together. We do all sorts of fun fabulous things together, or not – sometimes we might just want to hang out together.
My friends have taught me so many things;
and I am stronger because of them and I continue to learn from them. I treasure my friendships, and I trust these beautiful people with my imperfect self.
Of all my wonderful friends, I have 3 friends in a very special category. They are my Sparkles . They are my heart and soul. They find me; they save me; they are totally there for me – as I am for them. I trust them with my everything and every beat of my heart. They are warmth, love, peace, life. We relish, we comfort , we grow together. I can not imagine my life without them. And I’m proud to say we have NO need for FILTERS. We know the core and foundation of each other, and there is absolutely nothing that could ever be said to change this.
Although…. one of my Sparkles did once throw a lamp at me – you know who you are – but I’m certain that I did deserve this. 
My Sparkles — forever in my life:
I also have Family Sparkles . I have my daughter, my husband, and my first friend ever – my sister. These Sparkles also renew me, and love me and stand by me. And as family, we have a very special bond that transcends all space and time.
And sometimes they know me better than I even know myself!
