Undaunted

I know it’s an odd title combination this day of “G” in the A to Z blog challenge, but I feel great gratitude for both my girlfriends and  my gadgets. In fact I would go so far to say as I couldn’t get by most days without either one. In fact they kind of go hand in hand.

My girlfriends make me smile when I want to scream. They feel my pain as at sometime or other they’ve felt it too. With a knowing nod, they give me hugs when I am down. The offer their ears, their hearts and their prayers whenever I need them. They support me and cheer me on. They bring me food when I have surgery, watch my children when I need an extra hand, send me flowers when I am sad and make me laugh instead of cry.

I have girlfriends that I’ve known since Sunday school while others I met in grade school or high school or college.There are those that I met at the various places I’ve worked,  those I worship with or chat with at the corner gas station where I go every morning to get my Diet Coke fix. Included in my circle of girlfriends is my mother, sister, mother-in-law, sisters-in-laws, aunts and cousins. These wonderful women make my journey through life better,  give me confidence, encourage me and inspire me Even if we no longer see each other on a daily basis or a monthly basis or even a yearly basis, I know I can count on any of them should the need arise. Even if we haven’t spoken in years, I know this network of women are there for me and I for them.

What makes my “network” even stronger is my trusty electronic gadgets, and more specifically my iPhone. I’m not ashamed to say that I love my smart phone. This gadget is truly a gift I’d be hard-pressed to live without. The social networks that I access through this hand-held device keep me even more connected with my girlfriends than ever before. It’s hard to remember life before this little gizmo came into it. With a flick of my finger, I can scroll through my news feed and connect with my support circle 24 hours a day/365 days a year. Someone, somewhere is posting a photo of their child or commenting on a funny comic or recommending a book or a song or waiting to chat.

Sure I’d rather see my girlfriends in person to talk and laugh and have fun. But given the crazy schedules, the kids, work and just plain getting from one day to the next, that doesn’t happen as much as I want. Connecting via invisible electrons is the next best thing (and as an Introvert it’s a God send – I don’t even have to leave my bed!)

So, do you love or loathe your gadgets?