The Blessed Circle

My circle is small and consists of some family and of a few dear friends I've known most of my life.

I am a quiet person and don't require a lot of friends. I am contented knowing if I pick up the phone I have those people within my tight circle who would pick up the phone and even drop what they are doing if I need them.

My best friend, Kim, received the call when my Mom committed suicide and when I found out the man I had just began to develop serious feelings for had died suddenly of an aortic aneurysm.

I was hysterical on the phone when I called her and at first she thought I was someone else. She drove to my house and picked me up, driving four hours to his funeral in another state to meet strangers soon after. We met his family at the funeral. Rich and I had met online and dated a few times in the two months long distance. We spoke almost daily in such depth on the phone and in person. I believed I had finally found the one.
He was a young 36 with so much life ahead of him. Too young to die. Kim's friendship is a stabilizing force through good and tragedy since high school.

I have a second best friend, Sharon, who I met at age 30. She is like a sister. I met her at church during a turning point in my life and marriage. I owe her much in my transition out of that abusive marriage and into freedom. She taught me the skills that I needed to survive leaving an abusive marriage and thrive. She helped by providing shelter for my two sons and me and helped me apply for jobs to become independent. Sharon bought me my first cockatiel, Captain, and cautioned me to not date seriously until I got my own two feet on the ground.

When my Siberian Husky,Sasha, needed to be put down at 14 1/2 the day after New Years Day 2014, she was there. She and her boyfriend at the time generously paid for the veterinary bill. I knew that loss would be hard. She was a cushion to the devastating blow.

My middle child, Billy and his wife, Ashley, paid for Sasha's cremation and the container. knowing where animals go which owners do not pay to be buried or cremated.

I have other people of such high caliber in my circle and I cherish many stories of love and sacrifice for which I am eternally grateful and indescribably blessed.

Life is hard, but if you have a few people in your circle who will pick up the phone or come to your aid, you have more than many people can hope for.

This is my five minute freewrite using prompt circle.
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