A holiday shout out to my BFF.......LISA RIZZO

I know it's been a REALLY REALLY long time since I've posted. I apologize. It's been quite a rough 2 months, and the holidays don't help right now with free time. However, I do need to stop.....pause....take a breathe and really make a proper shout out. I was once told by a very wise person, "If you think you should do something, you probably should". I've been thinking about just how to tell my best friend how much she means to me. Do I write her a letter? A card? Do I tell her over a cup of Joe? Is she aware how much I love having her in my life? Does she realize how much she impacts me? Well....I'm not sure. So.....here goes.

My friend Lisa. My VERY VERY VERY BEST friend Lisa. Where do I begin? We've known each other since I was 20 and she was 21 (I'm 29 now, she's 31). A friendship 10 years in the making. We've been through so much together.....I mean, alot! We've gone to undergraduate school together at SUNY Brockport, we've worked together at Park Ridge Hospital, we've been maids of honor in each other's weddings, we got our Master's degree's together, I was there through the birth of her daughter and after, she was there through my infertility and the premature birth of my daughter, she's my daughter's godmother, our husband's re-named us Lucy and Ethel.....I mean we're close, people! The thing with Lisa and I is when you meet us, you think.....hey.....they kinda look alike, they're nice peeps......they're like TWINS.....but when you really get to know us, you'll see that we're two very different people, however we mesh so well together and learn so much from each other (I would argue that I learn SO much more from Lisa.....SO MUCH MORE, but I digress). Lisa is a very strong woman. I mean really strong. I would say that she is one of the most influential females in my life and I just know that when I talk to her, about anything......She IS listening and I will feel better....about really anything. She loves her family more than anything and will stick her neck out for them, to any degree. She has gone through quite a bit of adversity in her life, however has always stayed true to her beliefs and will not compromise them. I love spending time with her. I love laughing together about old memories and ones that are yet to come (our daughter's weddings, retirement, Alzheimer's). I love that our friendship is so comfortable and that she knows me so well. Lisa is an incredible mother. Her daughter adores her, and the things that she is able to accomplish with Olivia always amazes me.

In all the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, take time to relish in the small things. My small thing, happens to be one of the most important people in my life.....my best friend, my sister, my confidant..... Lisa. Thanks for always being there for me, Lisa. Here's to 10 years of friendship.....and many many more. Thank you for being YOU.....and thank you for being friends with little 'ol me :)