As in the adage – make new friends but keep the old. It’s been a slow realization that I have friends in this wilderness. I always hesitate to call people out as to quote David Rudder; to name a few will make the others seem small.

However to rephrase ‘The Incredibles’ if everyone is special then no one is, so here’s to:

Rachel and her helper Happy for taking care of Kwame after school and during hols until our helper arrived.

Ginny for lending an ear, being a sounding board, playdates for Kwame with her son Oscar, sourcing moses basket, clothes and a swing for Raffie and agreeing that these first few weeks of new motherhood is hard.

Nami for listening to me moan, playdates for Kwame, encouraging me to get sister locs and throwing me a bombastic baby shower.

Christine for encouraging my writing and blogging and sharing her dreams.

Here’s to Helen, Nic, Camilla, Jo, Birgit, Gina, Aileen, Shima, Dfia, Aisha, Mariella, Osiko, Andrea, Neetha, Sid, Nadia, Afya, Dorothy.

Thanks for showing me that I had to broaden my definition of a friend and had to take risks to make new friends.

I continue to miss those friends for whom no context is needed, where there are shortcuts and slangs from shared experiences but I do not feel as bereft as I once did.

When was the last time you made a new friend?