flying birds animated Pictures, Images and Photos

24 May 2010

Did you hug your girlfriend today?

Happy Ruby Tuesday!   I'm sharing a painting from a Facebook Friend Bitsy Gibson.  Apples with Basket is made with acrylics.  Ms. Gibson is a photorealism artist.  Her play with light and shadow is well represented in this painting. At first, I really thought it was a photo and I had to enlarge it to finally see the brush strokes. Its really amazing!  
I really value her talent.  I'm happy I was able to get to know her with the help of Facebook.  Nowadays, its becoming really easy for us to develop friendships by means of the internet.   We will probably never meet our internet friends in person but they can become just as important as our very close friends.  I will never get to hug Bitsy and thank her for creating this beautiful painting  but I will make a point of hugging the ones that I can.  Why?  

I was reading an old issue of Oprah magazine, (which, by the way, is very substantive reading), and caught an article about women's friendships and how important they are to us gals.  Apparently, women value their friendships much more than men do. They take them more seriously, sincerely care about what's going on in the lives of their women friends and feel a genuine need for regular sisterly togetherness.
The article said women who have viable friendships throughout their lives, in particular as they grow older, tend to live longer and suffer from less illness than women who don't have many confidants. Having friends you see regularly helps to reduce stress, improve the immune system and offers a support system that can rival the ear of even the most qualified psychiatrist. Seems women have figured it out, or maybe it's just something hardwired in us from the beginning of time. Women need the company of women just because.

I can speak from my own experiences. At this point in my life I have a handful of friends I know I can count on. They bring me incredible joy and their place in my life is immeasurable. Because I'm a very open and frank person, I find it incredibly satisfying to be able to tell my friends what's on my mind, no matter what. They are like my therapists. They also make me laugh, help me through tough times and celebrate the happy times and being with them just makes me feel healthier.
HEART gif Pictures, Images and PhotosWhen I was younger and while I was raising my kids, I didn't have near the friends I have now. Of course my children were my main focus, and even then I still managed to have two regular friends,  When I'm with them, I feel better. My whole soul just sings when I'm with my girlfriends. Nothing beats the sisterhood of women.
Just over the last 6 years or so, girlfriends have really become an integral part of my life. My friends are simply fabulous. There are things I can divulge to them I could never tell my husband. Their time spent with me is something I treasure. I want these women to grow old with me....to be there all through the coming years. I hope we'll all be around for a long time because between us all there is enough laughter to keep us going for a long time--and hopefully healthy for the next 30 years.
So, let me ask you...have you hugged your girlfriend today?
If you love red this is where its happening:  Just click here to meet Maryt at Ruby Tuesday and discover other fun red posts.  

As well as a bunch of fun girlfriends at  Follow me Tuesday
 
As well as Leigh at
Photobucket
And finally Twee Poppets at
Tuesday Tag-Along


On Wednesday, I'm following Welcome Wednesday hosted by Take it From Me:

27 comments:

  1. Most of my friends right now are only reachable by phone or internet. Being away from home is dreadful :(

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  2. sending you a hug today thru this comment. love your post here. I also believe that virtual or online friends are just the same as real ones.

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  3. This is so true. I think internet friends can mean just as much as real life ones! And that painting is Amazing! Happy Ruby Tuesday <3

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  4. what a lovely painting. yes, it's great to have friends who can share joy, laughter and tears with us.

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  5. Good Morning
    Thanks for visiting my blog, and for your kind words.
    First let me mention how much I really love your
    header. It is awesome.
    Your post about all the wonderful friends we have met through blogging certainly has extended my internet family world wide. Sending them hugs daily not only makes me feel good, but hopefully can be felt into their lives as well.
    The painting is beautiful.
    Please stop by again.
    Have a super day.
    Becky♥♥ HUGS

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  6. "We will probably never meet our internet friends in person but they can become just as important as our very close friends."

    I have found this to be absolutely true! And here is to the Sisterhood. I don't know where I would be without my girlfriends, either. :) Here's a virtual toast to girlfriends!! And a mental hug to all of mine.

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  7. The shadows and the lighting on your Ruby photo is outstanding!! Well done.

    My Ruby Tuesday. I do hope to see you drop by for a visit with me today.

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  8. I couldn't agree more - I could never get by without my friends, and I wouldn't want to.

    Beautiful paintings too, your friend is very talented indeed.

    -----------------
    I've entered a major international photo competition (details are on my blog) and would be most grateful if you'd click through and rate my portfolio (just click on the stars at the bottom (preferably the 5th star - "fantastic" - LOL), easy peasy, no registration or personal details needed). Thanks so much!

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  9. Like you, I thought the apples were a photo. Beautiful work. I love the one below it with the girls at the beach too.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and becoming a follower..It's always a thrill to have a new friend...

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  10. i really love the one with the girls at the beach. it's beautifully done. i miss my girlfriends...it's been a while since we've gone out together. btw, thanks for following me :)

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  11. I have not hugged a girlfriend today, but I called one and told her I love her.

    For some reason, your feed is not updating in my reader. The last update was for April 21st. If you notice that I don't stop by for awhile, just stop by my place and leave me a comment and remind me to come by.

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  12. Hi Unknown Mami,

    Thanks for the phone call. I love you too...

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  13. this is probably the cutest blog i have ever seen. way to go! i'm your newest follower from TTA! :) nice to meet you!

    http://coffeypartyof3.blogspot.com/

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  14. Following you from FMBT. Pls follow me when you get the chance.

    http://masalabowl.blogspot.com/

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  15. Following you on 'Follow Me Back Tuesday'.

    cookiesandclogs@gmail.com
    http://www.cookiesandclogs.com
    Deals and reviews from a stay-at-home mother of 1

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  16. I'm your newest follower from FMBT. Please drop by for a visit and follow back.
    http://alitlleoftheother.com

    Have a great week,
    Ellie

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  17. Such a joyfull post. I find it so wonderful to meet people all over the world through internet.
    Have a happy day.

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  18. {hugs.Anne}
    Friends are very important :)
    We should all treasure and never fail to remember giving them a hug whenever we come. Touch is something simple yet brings out a lot of emotions :)

    p/s: The picture was taken in Hong Kong.

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  19. Following from Tuesday Tag Along, please stop over and say hi!
    Tiffany

    http://www.talltalesfromasmalltown.blogspot.com

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  20. I'm your newest follower sweetheart! followed you via Follow me back tuesday. I'm loving your site already, i'll definitely visit you more often, hugs to you girlfriend! ☺

    www.thepinkchinadoll.com

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  21. I grew up in a family with 9 kids, plus my grandma lived with us. I didn't have much time for friends but now I'm starting too. :)

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  22. You have a really cool blog! I'm visiting from Welcome Wednesday. I'm a new follower.

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  23. Hola!!!
    I'm your newest follower from Welcome Wednesday! I'd love it if you stopped by and followed me=0)

    I'm having a fun giveaway right now!

    Have a great Wednesday,
    xoxo,
    Carol

    http://www.cieloazuljewelry.blogspot.com

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  24. Hi! I am a new GFC follower from Welcome Wednesday!.
    http://grammyjanetsplace.blogspot.com/2010/05/welcome-wednesday.html

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  25. Hi Rockin Momma,

    Thanks for the compliment. I tried to visit your blog but your profile page does not include a link to your main page.

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  26. How nice that you've been to Holland. I use to live near Delft and I went to school there. It is a very lovely little city but I'm very happy that I live on the other side of our small country now where it is a bit more quiet.

    Thanks for your comment and have a wonderful day.

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  27. Oh YES! Friends are so important! I have a small bunch of great girlfriends who I can share almost anything with. We support and encourage each other when times are rough and we have a lot of laughs! I also have one very good (but distant in miles) bloke friend, who I share with daily via chat, but only meet up with 6 or 7 times a year. All of these friendships are precious and I hope they last a very long time!
    As for hugs... it's only 9am & the only one I've spoken to f2f is the hamster :)

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