Friendships of Love

Written by Donna Check

What is it about spending time with friends that makes us FEEL?

Whether we’re laughing or talking seriously, there’s a feeling coming through us! What do we admire, love, want, or see in our friends? I’m sharing a bit on a few (names changed) followed by what comes to mind when I think about each one.

Sandy is my sister from another mother. We lived blocks from each other, had much in common, and we’ve spent many weekends together for over 20 years. Holidays, adventures (including a home decor business), trips together, weddings, babies, cancer, surgeries, deaths. Lots of life experiences. Smart. Love. Nurse. Sister. Happiness. Fun. Loyal. Advocate. Creative. Pitbull.

Virginia exudes love and glows. We laugh a lot, share intensely, and cry. Never have I met anyone like Vi. She has a past no one should have to recall yet she is joyful. I learned SO much from her over the past 16 years, more about myself. Vi became a minister in 2012 after putting off her calling for years. Love. Spiritual. Bible. Family. Joy. Friendship. Fun. Kindness. Nurturing. Authentic. Trust. Truth. Empathetic. Happiness. Sister. Strength. Faith. Loyal.

Elizabeth, who died in 2014, designated me as Health Care Surrogate, a privilege and honor. She was incredibly intelligent, sometimes goofy-funny, and always caring. We shared intense personal beliefs considering how we met (catastrophic injuries). Beth’s strength and sense of humor helped her overcome pain the last 11 months of her life Authentic Love Nurse Trust Truth Joy Smart Empathetic Kindness Happiness Faith Fun Advocate Strength Loyal

Alice was 17 years older than I and was sometimes rough as my BFF. We were connected and, because of our age difference, I learned much from her, realizing how much years later. I also learned where her roughness came from. Love. Family. Friendship. Tough. Faith. Authentic. Serious. Hurting. Fun. Loyal. Needy. Truth. Trust. Hurtful. Strength.

What is it we look for that is important to us in our friendships?

I believe there’s a spark that begins the relationship. It can be anything on any topic, whether it’s something you have in common or totally opposite. And I believe we see something WE want or need from a person who will be a friend, whether we do it consciously or unconsciously. We seek it. It takes time. But it’s magic when we connect!

Love. Trust. Strength. Spiritual. Truth. Family. Joy. Smart. Authentic. Real. Happiness. Faith. Advocate. Fun. Friendship. Tough. Sister. Hurting. Nurturing. Kindness. Needy. Empathetic. Creative. Loyal. Serious. Pitbull.

Friendship, love, and spending time with people we care about is good for us on so many levels. From MayoClinic.com: “Good friends are good for your health ... Friends prevent isolation and loneliness … improve self-confidence … help cope with trauma, divorce, serious illness, death.”

Please message me through BLOOM if you have any comments.

Donna Check Business Advisor

Helping People Grow & Transform Their Companies Business, Healthcare, Case Management, & Workers’ Compensation Advisor and Board Member, Editor, Contributor, and Chief of Brainstorming for BLOOM Collective

Donna has a diverse business background which she utilizes in her private consulting business. She successfully developed, planned, founded, and started from scratch one national specialty rehab and had instrumental roles in two startups. Donna is a patient and family advocate, an amazing speaker and Certified CE Presenter, and openly shares her expertise with healthcare and workers’ compensation professionals nationally. She owned a for-profit home décor store and founded a 501(c)3 dedicated to helping families of individuals with traumatic injuries, worked in the entertainment industry, and for a law firm representing individuals in entertainment. Feel free to contact Donna directly via email at donna.531@comcast.net.