Things We Are Good At Doing

My best friend and I were talking on the phone when I heard her say, "I am only good at two things.  Only two things fill me up, walking and helping others."  This was when I knew my friend was in a kind of crisis and she didn't realize it.  Having been friends for 35 years, we have been through many ups and downs together.  It saddened me to hear that my very best friend thought she was only really good at two things.  She used to be so confident which had me wondered where all that confidence had gone.  As a tribute to my best friend, who is so much more than a walker and helper, I want her to know a couple of things that I alone have found her to be good at doing for which she is not giving herself any credit.

1.  Telling jokes.  She is the best at remembering and telling jokes.
2.  She has this lovely singing quality to her voice, the tone of which is cheerful and soothing.
3.  Loving with all of her heart.  She selflessly loves her children, her grandchildren, her animals, friends and husband.
4.  Entertaining.  She is the queen of hostessing.  Everyone feels at home, she creates a lively atmosphere.  People's food preferences are always considered.  She even makes more food so everyone can take some home.
5.  She is an awesome grandmother caring both for the emotional and physical welfare of her two grandgirls.  She travels with them, hikes with them and exposes them to all kinds of education events.
6.  She is the kind of friend that will show up on your doorstep when you need her most. She is keeping friendships and knowing when to let them go.
7.  She is a great listener and conversationalist.  She puts everyone at ease and is able to laugh at herself.
8.  She is a good wife to her husband.  She takes care of her family's emotional and physical wants and needs.
9.  She plays well with others and has never met a stranger.  People just like her.
10.  She is uber creative.  Her home looks like it came out of a magazine and she did it all herself.  She has a super decorating and organizational instinct.  Best of all she can make the place look like a palace without spending exorbitant amounts of money. 
11.  The woman is adventurous.  Whether it be traveling across Europe or hiking up an active volcano, she is there.
12. She is extremely giving of herself.  She does a great deal of volunteering for the Alzheimer's Association.
13.  She rocks at being a health care advocate for people.  She is not intimidated by medical professionals in the least.  She boldy asks for explanations and clarification. 
14.  She is a painter.  She paints walls, ceilings, front doors.  She paints landscapes and flowers.  And she is good at it.
15.  She is quite the cook and her family all loves her cooking.
16.  She is very observant and aware of the people in her immediate circle.  She senses when they are feeling unwell often before they know it themselves.
 17.  Tribal.  Well that's what I call it.  She has these moments of insight and wisdom that are so right on and deep that it can take a while before you can wrap your mind around them.
18.  A classy dresser.  She always looks put together and stylish.  I love it when she is my personal shopper.  I tend to dress on the frumpy side and she does what she can to interviene which I appreciate.
19.  Extremely patient with the infirmed and elderly.
20. Smart as a whip and catches onto things really quickly.

Perhaps we should tell people more often about their qualities that we appreciate. Maybe we should do it now before they feel they are only good at two things.