The Chosen Few ...

I consider myself to be very fortunate when it comes to my friends. I am very lucky that I have a small circle of really close friends, and a sort of wider circle of people that I would call friends, but aren't necessarily close to.

My bestest bestest friend is Jacqui (that's her on the far left of the photo). I've known for her 15 years, and she has seen me through some really bad times. She's had her share of bad times too, and I hope she would say that I've seen her through those too. She's seen it all when it comes to me, but she must have endless patience, because she's propped up my confidence and self-esteem countless times. I wouldn't be without her for anything. Him in the middle, that's Ioannis. He gets a gold star award for being supportive and helpful, and for being just too cool for words. On the right, that's me. Note that I covered up my magnificent bosom in this photo with the spiral notepad. It had to be done, cos I didn't realise just how much of my boobies were on display that night in my very nice wraparound top. Let's just say it was lots!

Also in my inner circle is Hilz, who I don't have any photos of (actually I did have one of my mobile, but she stole it when I wasn't looking and deleted it!). She is also a fabby friend, though I'm still not sure why a young thing like her (21) wants to be mates with an old bag like me (nearly 40). Whatever the reason, she's also a Cancerian like me, so she knows the sort of nonsense that goes through my head, because it also runs through hers ...

Then there's Neil ... I've known Neil for the best part of 10 years now. We talk often but don't see each other much, despite the fact that he only lives about half an hour away. He is the tops when it comes to friends ... we've had some great experiences together, and he's always been there for me unfailingly over the years. In the early days of our friendship we used to spend all night talking on the phone ... oh, how I miss those times! Nowadays we have rushed daytime conversations at work, or the odd text here and there.

There are other friends ... Waheeda, my lovely, lovely colleague, who I first met back in 1997. She is wonderful, gentle, kind ... and I don't get to spend enough time with her. Then there's Si, my boss ... beautiful, extremely intelligent and the most talented ophthalmologist I know (hope none of my other ophthalmologist friends are reading this ... unlikely actually as none of my friends except for Jacqui has my blog address!) And not forgetting Charlie, my surrogate Dad at work, who makes us coffee, runs around after us and does a demon job of getting gloss paint out of clothes with the aid of some chloroform (just don't ask!) And then Bal and Naina, other colleagues who have been there for me over the years. I could go on forever, thinking of more people ...

When you stop and think of how many friends you really have, doesn't it make you feel really good about yourself? These people are all friends with me because THEY LIKE ME. That's a good thing to realise when you lack confidence like I do. I feel loved, cared for and very blessed to have these people in my life.

So ... back to my layout above. I made it for my April Scraps of Life Challenge over at DSS. Why don't you play along and make a layout about your friends? You can find more details about the challenge here ... and of course as usual if you complete four challenges this month you can get the April Challenge kit absolutely free - and you won't want to miss it this month, it's mouthwateringly delicious!

Anyway, one last thing before I go ... in the sidebar you might be able to see my little fundraising widget. I'm doing the Race For Life again this June - it's a 5 km sponsored walk in aid of Cancer Research - all sponsorship would be greatly appreciated, but even if you don't want to sponsor me, please click through to my fundraising page so that you can see what it's all about.