I’m that friend.

The one who takes forever to respond or sometimes doesn’t at all.

She’s me.

I’m the follow-up to the “Maybe she’s . . .” article.

I’m telling you now—I’m overwhelmed.

There IS a harder fight going on.

I’m maxed out.

I’m stressed.

I’m saving my energy.

My phone? I don’t even know where it is.

I simply can’t add any extra thoughts or decisions to my overstimulated brain
because every ounce of what little energy I do have HAS to go to my kids.

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So I put down my phone and try to be present. To calm the storm.

I am not blowing you off. I function differently.

This isn’t a maybe article—it’s a YES, here I am article. She’s me.

I’m telling you it has nothing to do with you.

I know this is a flaw of mine, and I know it sometimes hurts.

I’m sorry. I’m hurting too.

But I don’t love you any less.

I love you most. Like a ride or die, Thelma and Louise, secrets to the grave, fight through life together, fiercely loyal kind of love.

I hold you so tight to my heart and I treasure you. We’re connected inseparably, unshakable.

Someday I’ll be better.

When the kids are older and everything is not so overwhelming and I’m not needed for every little thing, I’ll be better.

I’ll have room in my headspace for things I hold dear other than my children.

I haven’t adjusted to the requirement of today’s world—to be plugged in constantly.

Everything about it goes against the simplicity I crave.

I’m sorry.

I know you’ve heard the saying, “Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold.”

Hogwash.

All my girls are golden.

So here’s to you—my golden girls.

The ones who become family, whose souls intertwine yours with a friendship that goes beyond missed texts and into late-night phone calls. When grief grips you to the floor, and they barge in with a love so fierce and so knowing that you are overcome with peace from their presence.

The ones with whom no words are needed.

The pick-up where we left off ones.

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The ones who are perfectly comfortable with how weird you are because they are too.

The ones there for the heart-wrenching lows and the breathtaking, beautiful, sweet highs of life.

The ones who may not get it but give you the benefit of the doubt anyway. Here’s to those ones.

Thank you for knowing me and loving me anyway.

Thank you for extending Jesus-like grace.

Mamas, tag your golden girls below so they know how much they are loved. Tag them to say, no matter the span of time that passes, we’re unshakable.

Originally published on the author’s Facebook page