Relationships.
I believe life is about creating meaningful relationships.
Interactions with people.
WE want to have closeness with people to connect and be heard and understood. It is very hard making new friends and so easy to scare them off when we appear too needed or too high maintance.
Attention, whether it be family or friends, is what makes a relationship. I can't afford to be passive in a relationship it just won't happen unless I am being proactive and open and making an effort to stay connected to those folks who live awy in another town or country. and that is what makes the internet so special...and phones of course, but we are all so busy it is hard to connect.
I am lucky to have had a new girl friend 6 years ago when we first moved here (met her at a volunteer service ladies group called Zonta) that I made fast friends with (later I found out that she is bipolar also) and has recently had a baby girl first child whom I adore ...so lucky to have her in my life. I have another girl friend that I met 6 years ago too thru my hubbys work, spouse of his collegue...and we have become very good friends over the years, took along time to trust her though and plays cello(she can be very moody and has a moody 9 year old girl)
just recently I have a new friend that I met at the UU church that I attend sometimes. She is a writer and very upbeat and cheerful....we have margaritas together and talk about her ADHD kids. She is from new orleans and is a disaster relief coordinator for new oleans. So I have 3 real friends in real life, close to me. I feel very fortunate to have them and am trying to nurture these friend ships. It is making me a better friend and ultimately a better person for it.
This forum has been a life saver for me.
When we first moved here...I was a wreck, I felt so alone. Having a forum to come and learn about and care for...you all have become my extended family. where else can I come to really talk about what is going on at any time of the day? I have come to rely on you guys and consider you friends.
I need you in my life too.
It is wonderful that we have this close a group with so many talented and intelligent people here who are genuinely concerned about each other.
I love you all for this.
bizi

Luv ya too Bizi.

befuddled2

Me too!!!!!!


Nikko

I was just curious bizi but are you open about the fact that you are bipolar? I've found that a lot of people can't accept it so I keep it to myself. I think this interferes my ability to form close relationships.

Hugs to you bizi. You been a good friend for a long time.

mystified

When I am well, I cherish everyone near me and adore being with them. When I am not well, I want to keep everyone at arms distance. I feel like I have to protect them from me.

I love the relationship we have here with each other. So much patience and caring.

Thank you all and one for being her for each other.

Dear mystified,
I only open up to someone once I figure out if they are my friend, just after the aquaintance stage...early on though and also if they have shared something of same seriousness about them selves like they are depressed or have streange thoughts...it is a way of bonding.
I wish you well my dear.
((((HUGS))))
bizi

For three years I worked in a clubhouse for the mentally ill, most of the 100 members were people with schizophrenia and friendship is what they wanted most of all.

Bump.........

Oh Bizi....Your post hit home with me! I do have a difficult time letting people "in" I think that now that I am older....my hubby and my mom are my best friends......I am close to my Dad but not the same way....still in a beautiful way,just different! I do love to nuture a relationship. Hubby and I are very good to each other. We even talk to each other like we are best friends. I do have 1 friend that I am very close to....we matter to each other like hubby and I and Mom and I do etc.

When I reread my post I realized that the biggest thing for me in a friendship is that you MATTER to someone and that they MATTER to you.....and how they feel matters and vice versa...........that is like the people I have met here, such as you Bizi....when I think about it...I care how your day is...and you matter to me...as do so many others I have got to know here....OK I have said the word MATTER so much it is starting to sound weird to me...lol...know what I mean...when you repeat a word so often it starts to make no sense or becomes...well...weird.....ok I do believe I am rambling!!
Have a lovely night all!!!!!