Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Sisters

So, this week we've been concentrating on our birthday and the amazing things that have happened to us over the past three years - thanks in huge part to you guys, our readers!! As we were sitting around a table on our retreat planning this week of celebration one of the Playfriends asked a rhetorical question, "What's the best thing that's happened in the last three years?" We kinda already knew what the answer would be for each of us, although as you can guess that experience varied. For me it was selling my first book and being able to share that moment with the friends I'd found here on the Playground - not just the Playfriends but the friends we'd made along the way.

But while that moment was amazing, I think the best thing about being a part of the Playground goes well beyond the actual things that have happened to each of us. It's something less tangible than getting a phone call, winning a contest or making a sale. It's the abstract thing called friendship.

The five of us often refer to each other as sisters of the heart and the term is so true. These women are part of my heart, my soul and my life. An integral part that I'm not sure I could function without anymore. When something happens - good, bad or indifferent - these are the women I call to cry with, laugh with, bitch with and strategize with. They're my first line of defense against anything that might hurt my family or my confidence and they're the first ones to tell me to get my head out of my ass when I'm being a prick.

I trust them with my life. I trust them with my kids. I trust them with my confidence and my sometimes fragile ego. I would not have sold my first book without them. And I wouldn't have made it through the process of selling my second - at least not with my sanity intact.

We can be extremely co-dependent and have no boundaries when it comes to information or sharing. These women know all my secrets and I know all of theirs (at least I better! :-)). We compliment each others strengths and weaknesses. I'm extrememly lucky and priviledged to have these women in my life.

So while the single best day of my life over the last three years is hands down the day I made my first sale, the most important thing in my life over the last three years is the friendships I've formed with these women.

What's the most important or uplifting thing that's happened in your life over the last three years?

Instigator


P.S. I've recently downloaded all these amazing Twilight publicity pictures which I have no idea what to do with. So, I'm going to randomly place them into blogs over the next few months. This one is of Kristen and Rob at a Vanity Fair shoot.

P.P.S I will be giving away a prize pack today to one commenter. It will include a signed copy of Whispers in the Dark along with whatever I grab out of my prize stash. Winners for the entire week will be announced this weekend.

27 comments:

M.V.Freeman said...

The most amazing thing that's happened to me is getting to know more of my fellow writers and readers.

That, and I've gotten to hang out with people that make me laugh, think, and challange my way of doing things.

And I certainly need a challange....LOL

And btw, I LOVE those promo picts of twilight. :) I will be looking forward to them.

Angel said...

**fans face**world peace**

:)

I'm completely amazed at how totally co-dependent we've become. And in such a short time period too. The only other person I can say that about is my mother, and it took a few years to get there. :)

Y'all are making me so jealous that I can't see Twilight until after NaNo is over!!! My books came in and they are SO PRETTY! I can't wait to dive in, but must finish this book first!!!

Sigh...

Angel

Problem Child said...

::sniffle::

Boundaries? What are boundaries? You mean I'm not supposed to ask prying, invasive questions and then snark at you about the answers? Oohh...that explains why I don't have many more friends than y'all. :-)

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

Co-dependent is such an ugly term. True, but ugly. :)

I honestly don't know where I'd be or what I'd be doing if I haven't met y'all... I certainly wouldn't have 7 completed books under my belt, much less one with an editor.

I wouldn't have scrapbooks filled with fun pictures and great trips.

I wouldn't know anything about veggietales or goats or guitar hero.

I wouldn't have $350 shoes or 15 formals in my closet.

I wouldn't have rediscovered my ability to use the telephone to talk to someone for no real reason or to go hours without running out of something to say.

My life would be dull and much less sparkly without you guys. :)

Rhonda Nelson said...

Oh, ya'll are so sweet. It's amazing how important those friendships are, though, isn't it? I don't know what I'd do--or how I functioned--without Jen and Vicki. Sisters of the heart it is a *perfect* term.

Kira, I LOVE that picture! Can't wait to see the movie!

CrystalGB said...

For me and my husband, it has been buying a home. We saved for a while to do this.

Playground Monitor said...

Sorry I'm late to the party, but these late nights writing are taking a toll. However, you will notice I have 20247 words!!!!

I hope y'all don't take it the wrong way, but you're #2 on my most important list. BabyGrand holds the #1 spot. But I truly cherish the friendships here on the Playground and all the writing friends I've made. They literally span the globe. The sun never sets on my circle of writing friends and that's just darned amazing, don't you think?

PM

Unknown said...

I guess the most important thing in my life is that I am healthy and still kicking. Life is good.

Although my son did start college and I didn't think he would. Yea!!

Lynn Raye Harris said...

My most important things over the last 3 years are:

1. Selling my first book. Oh yeah, nothing tops that!

2. Moving to Bama and joining HOD. This led to selling the first book. :) (And meant I met all of you.)

Anonymous said...

One of the best things for was letting my son go. Enough to let him live with his dad the past 2 years. I have LOVED being myself. I am 1 of 7 kids and this is the first time ever to live alone. I have taken my maiden name back - yeah and life is good. Once I sell my home, I will be moving back to where I grew up and will once again be closer to my 3 sisters. I am so looking forward to this chapter in my life. My sisters are true and also my best friends.
robertsonreads

anne said...

It has been a roller coaster three years for me. My husband lost his job and business and was very ill. He has recovered his strength and has started a new business.

Sherry Werth said...

The best thing that happened to me in the past three years was joining RWA and HOD. I've met so many wonderful people and the best thing is they 'get' me. Getting together with my chapter mates and passing emails has become a very important part of my life.

ruth said...

I decided to relocate and begin fresh. What a new beginning for me. No regrets and love my new future.

diane said...

The most amazing thing that happened to me was getting married to the love of my life this May.

alissa said...

Getting married three years ago, finding a dream job and moving to a new and better place.

Fedora said...

Hi, happy (belated) birthday to all of you on the playground!

The most amazing thing has to be watching my kids starting to grow up--they're their own little people, and it's amazing to hear good things about them when you aren't there to monitor their every last move :)

And yes, friends/sisters of the heart are amazing :)

mslizalou said...

I started blogging about 2-3 years ago and I've been blessed with so many new friends. I get together with the sisters of my heart once a month. In fact, we are having Thanksgiving together this weekend at my house.

I love the Twilight pictures! I thought I would get to see it the first night, but now it looks like over Thanksgiving before I can see it.

Jane said...

The most amazing thing that's happen to me these last three years is the birth of my niece. I was there at her birth and can't believe she's no longer a baby.

Minna said...

Well, getting one of the obligatory courses done -there has been quite a few of those- has everytime been uplifting. It means I'm that much closer to my goal.

catslady said...

It was getting through my oldest daughter's wedding - wow, it involves sooooooo much. But in the end it was lovely!

Susan said...

The most amazing thing that's happened to me is how close my sister and I have become. It seems our age difference as melted away.

Cherie J said...

For me, it was giving birth to my little girl who just turned 2 last month.

Cheryl said...

The most amazing thing that's happened to me within the last 3 years is going from a part-time administrative assistant position that I've held in one capacity or another for the past 27 years to learning a completely different job as a lab technician. It's stressful and totally different than what I've ever done but I gain a little more confidence everyday, every time I learn a new skill. So I know I'm going to do all right.

Cheryl S.

Kammie said...

Watching my niece at her college graduation ceremony. It was a tough road but she made it and I was so proud.

Anonymous said...

My daughter getting married and she is due tomorrow to have a baby, but it looks she will arrive late. So those are the 2 best things.

Pat L.

Michele L. said...

I think it is amazing how talented all of you are at writing books! I wish I could do that!

In the last 3 years I would have to say that the most amazing thing that has happened to me is gaining patience to take care of my elderly mom. It has been very trying at times but I have learned not to sweat the small stuff. I laugh at life at all it has to offer and not getting depressed. It is so easy to get upset and sad. So I am finally learning how to deal with tough life lessons.

Love the pictures of twilight!
Have a fun week!
Michele L.

Caffey said...

You know, its how I've become stronger having dealt with my health challenges and thinking I wouldn't be able to go through this all. But the strength is believing is really something to hold on to. I know the support of family, friends, and yep, my reading has been awesome. Just holding hands through it or listening to me whine,and just escaping into a book and forgetting about the pain is awesome!

So loved this question, really made me realize so much! I've met some just wonderful friends both readers and authors online that I don't know what it would be like without you all! Thanks!!