Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.
Today’s prompt asks: Who are your favorite people to be around?
I’m grateful to say I have more than one answer. First and foremost, my family. They are the people who fill my heart the most. I could never spend enough time with my granddaughter. From the time she was little to now as she’s grown, she has always been one of my favorite people. Not just because she’s my granddaughter, but because she is smart, kind, gentle, and naturally funny. She has a beautiful spirit and a good sense about people, so those she brings into her life usually end up being lovely to be around as well.
My husband is also one of my absolute favorite people. We’ve been together for 31 years, married for 30, and have truly shared life side by side. Aside from short stretches when he traveled for work, we’ve spent nearly every day together, and we still genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Whether it’s going out to lunch, taking a walk, or simply talking about our day, those simple moments mean the most to me.
I also really value being around people who truly want to be around me. Through my volunteer work and advocacy, I’ve met some of the kindest, funniest, and most compassionate individuals. We share the common bond of living with arthritis, and that understanding creates a special connection. We support each other on the hard days, celebrate the good ones, and remind one another that we’re not alone in this journey. That kind of friendship is a gift.
I honestly can’t choose just one favorite person, because my heart is fullest when I’m with my granddaughter, my husband, and my family as a whole. They are my foundation and my greatest joys. At the same time, it does sadden me that there are family members I love deeply and have always enjoyed being around who, for reasons I may never fully understand, seem to have drifted away or no longer feel the same closeness. I will always love them and would happily spend time together again if they ever wanted to reconnect. But I’ve learned that love also means respecting boundaries. I don’t want to be where I’m not truly wanted, no matter how much I love and miss them, so I honor their wishes even when it hurts.
One comforting truth is that in life we can have different kinds of family. We have our biological family, and we also have our arthritis family—the people who understand our daily challenges, encourage us, and walk beside us with empathy and care. Both kinds of family are meaningful, and both hold a special place in my heart.
Joyful-Echoes 