I love this thought because it expresses my view of people. For the most part, I am always ready to meet a new friend, and that is why walking into a room usually puts a smile on my face. There is much to learn from others, and expanding horizons comes with opening the door to new friendships. Typically, we make friends based on our age, stage of life, interests, hobbies, etc. Moving into a new community last year gave me the opportunity to expand that and learn from new friends from all over the world. What a gift to make a stranger a friend who shares their ideas and life’s experiences!

That is one of the reasons each time I am called upon to mentor an ostomate, I feel a rush of adrenaline. My goal, of course, is to help them live their best life by adjusting to their new anatomy, but beyond that, it is to give them a safe place to explore their feelings. That takes us to a different level, that of friend. As friends, we can state openly all of the worry they have, as well as the strides they are making. I can be a cheerleader for them and a hand-holder, if necessary. I can promise they will adjust, since I have seen it over and over again. The patient who couldn’t walk to the mailbox is walking three miles and filled with pride!

Knowing that I may be a resource to others has me share my status as an ostomate and advocate openly and freely. There is a reason I do so, and that is in the event one of my friends knows a new ostomate, I will be their go-to gal. Since ostomy is a hidden disability, how else will one know with whom they can openly communicate? We don’t show our disability, but there are times when we are very needy, and other times when we live nearly normal lives.

Apologies for straying from the title of meeting friends. As you can see, all roads seem to lead back to supporting ostomates. But I am grateful for all of my friendships, and always looking ahead to meet another. Like my taste for ice cream, there are days when all I want is vanilla and others when mint chip is my desire. Friendships come in all flavors, and I am fortunate enough to savor each and every one of them.

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