A Companion in the Garden...

It's Trevor aka T Man with another planted blog post. This one is significant, as this marks the 1st Blogiversary of Bloom with Brenda. Brenda asked me to once again, be her guest contributor. It makes sense, because this month marks 13 years that I have been her companion. Now you know where the title comes from. Brenda's late mother told her, that I would be that companion for years. This blog was created in memory of Brenda's mother and part of that promise to live her life. Every day, she strives to keep that promise. I think that is beautiful! 

It can be lonely at times, even in our gardens of life. Brenda wants me to bring out here, that friendships and  companionship, are vital in navigating and surviving in this thing called LIFE. There are many types of friendships. At the end of this planted blog post, her poem 'Connections' will be shared. It encompasses different kinds of friendships. Brenda wants me to concentrate on her close-knit circle of friends, for this particular planted blog post. Allow me to expound on this in the next paragraph. BOL You didn't think I was going to let that slip by. 

I do have to say something else here though. When Brenda shared with one of her faithful readers that I was going to be her guest contributor, the response was; "I'm glad you're bringing Trevor back." That made my golden heart sing. BOL You do realize I'm not real right? I simply share what Brenda wants me to say. We make a great team. That's all part of our companionship. Her creative juices started to soar after her brain tumor experience. Brenda opened that lemon and turned it into opportunities, she couldn't have even imagined were possible. See what happens when you're brave and take a risk? You'll understand more as I continue with this planted blog post. I'm really digging this already! BOL 

Brenda has friends and acquaintances, from all over the country and world, as she has connected with other brain tumor survivors and arthritis warriors. Her kindred spirit on the West Coast is a friendship which she cherishes so much. It has been going on for well over a decade. This friend has done so much for the brain injury community, as she is also a survivor. They have been text messaging and talking on the phone more in the past month. You see, they are both going through some deep weeds. They commiserate, by being each other's sounding board. They have never met in person, but have exchanged gifts and have laughed and cried together. That is a true friendship for sure. Brenda wanted to make sure she knew how much it has meant to keep in touch, so she conveyed that in a text message. 

Next is her friend on the East Coast, who she has been corresponding with for over 2 years. It has meant the world to Brenda to keep in touch with something as simple as emails, where they can encourage one another. They have never met in person, but they have worked together on advocacy issues several times via Zoom and he wanted to continue keeping in touch. She always appreciates his take on her blog posts, which she shares with him. 

Another friend on the East Coast is even a friend of mine, as he was kind enough to mention me on his Internet radio show that he hosted, where Brenda was his guest 3 times. They have had several Zoom calls, where they had a chance to catch up. This friendship has also been going on, for well over a decade. He thinks I rock and for over a year, he thought I was real. BOL How this connection began was that both of us were featured in a TUMORS SUCK! video. I made the cut and the rest is history. BOL 

Brenda treasures her friendship with her girlfriend, who she has known for well over 40 years. She was a best friend of Brenda's sister, who passed away 20 years ago and also is a friend with her other sister, who she usually chats with on Saturday afternoons, with lots of laughter. Her girlfriend is a straight shooter and will tell Brenda what she needs to hear. It might not always be what she wants to hear, but that is a mark of a true friend, to be real. They always have a lot of fun together and it usually ends up with laughing. She helps Brenda with errands too, which is very much appreciated. 

Brenda has been friends with this next person since her college days. That is a long time. I believe over 45 years. Dating Brenda here. BOL They like to go and rock it out. They attended 2 rock concerts this year and hoping for another one next month, if it works out. They always have a great time. They gifted each other pendants, that they wear at each rock concert they attend. This friend was a big help to Brenda after her mother's passing, by providing rides home from work. Once a month they would get together, where Brenda had a chance to treat her friend in appreciation for that kindness. 

Brenda believes strongly in letting others know what they mean to her. She takes nothing for granted. Brenda does not want to have any regrets. I think it hits her even harder now, after having gone through her brain tumor experience. Realizing that she had been given a 2nd chance at life; (that is how brain tumor survivors describe their journey)... Everything became much more meaningful for Brenda and that included her friendships, which she developed after that experience and the ones that she had before. Some sadly, she had to walk away from for her sanity. 

Brenda became connected with someone last year, which she never thought would happen at this stage in her life, establishing a friendship in the real world with someone close in age with common interests. Having had some deep conversations about important issues, meant so much to Brenda. This friend has been so encouraging, when it came to this blog in offering sound advice. He encouraged her to go full steam ahead when it came to planting a blog post and not be concerned about what others might think, as that could block the creative process. They both have a passion for helping others. I think that is where this connection began. She had a chance to share about her brain tumor journey and the fact that Brenda was a blogger, piqued his interest. They both have an appreciation for music and believe that it can heal. He thinks that I write very well, so I would even consider sharing my bones. BOL I want to thank you from the bottom of my golden heart, for being so kind to Brenda. 💛

Brenda treasures this friendship so much. They share what I call a laugh language. BOL I came up with that myself. They get each other, as both possess a dry sense of humor. He makes her laugh and I am happy she found a friend, who cares about her and know, that the feeling is mutual. The poem that is going to be shared at the end, was inspired by this friend. It is also about those in her close-knit circle, that I have been sharing about in this planted blog post. 

Sometimes friends move away and that can be hard, but with technology it's much easier to stay in touch. Brenda craves being able to stay in touch with every one in her close-knit circle. When you do something as simple like sending an email, text message or check in by phone, it can really brighten Brenda's day. You all mean so much to her. She is getting a little teary-eyed, as I am planting this. They are happy tears, rest assured. 

Brenda has never made friends easily, as she likes to test the waters first. When someone makes the first move however, that can be a game-changer. In the case of her friend from college, who was the first to welcome her, as she was her suite-mate. You never forget a kindness like that. 

Brenda has become more brave over the years. She has found that if you want something, you have to be willing to take a risk and see where it goes. She has absolutely no regrets in having done that almost a year ago. That friendship means so much to Brenda. 

Well, that is the end of this planted blog post. As promised, here is the poem that Brenda composed earlier this year. 

This is Trevor aka T Man barking off...

💛 Golden Hugs and Keeping Blooming!  Happy 1st Blogiversary to Bloom with Brenda!!