My People.

* I wrote this a few days ago on the anniversary of my grandmother's passing. It is only now that I've finished it and felt it ready to share.*

Do you ever have days where you just need your people?

I have people in a number of places.

I have women in my life that I've grown up with. Learned with. Lived with and learned to love with. And loved. Fully. Like pieces of my heart.

And on some days - when my heart is full but I feel the pain of someone I know, or the loss of someone around me, or ... just ... something ...

I wish my people lived right down the street from me.

I wish they were within walking distance.

Now, don't get me wrong, I have local people, too. But local people - we're all running and busy and not right down the street - as much as I've wished it.

But my other people? They're scattered everywhere.

I have my lifelong friends.

And I suddenly realized why I'm writing this today.

Today is January 17th.

January 17th was the worst day of my life for the longest time.

Twice.

Until my dad passed, it was the worst day I could have ever imagined. Ever.

We lost my grandmother - my father's mother - twenty years ago today. Can you imagine? Twenty years. TWO whole decades that she hasn't been a viable presence in my family's lives. Do you know what that loss is like? I know so many people who do. It's so hard. Grief. Stings. Aches. Makes you question every-and-any-thing.

And then. Years later. We lost another family member. On the same day.

He was my age.

And it was shocking. Crushing. Impossible to understand.

Set the world on edge, losing him did.

I'll never forget him.

But throughout every loss I've been reminded that I have my people.

The women (and some men, certainly) in my life who have been there to support me through the good and the bad, the love and the heartache, and the laughter and tears.

Sometimes it's important to remind ourselves that these people exist. They're out there. Because we all have days where the emotions and pain, the moments of remembering, the loss, the heartache - they all become too much to bear. And when they do? We reach for our people.

Sure, in this day and age it's more likely to be a text or a Facebook message than a call or an email, but just the same - we reach out - they answer - we're reminded that they're there.

And I encourage you, and me, to reach out to them on other days, too. When we're not in need of them, but when we just want to connect with them. Make plans. Try to see one another - if the distance isn't too large to cross. Call each other. Listen to their voices. Let them hear yours. Maybe they're not reaching out but they need you. Let them know you're there. Always.

Do you know who your people are?

I'm truly and forever grateful for mine.

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