”You’re being a little ridiculous.”
 
My head tilted slightly right. My eyes narrowed. And for a moment I was silent. (A rare occurrence, I know.)
My cheeks flushed and I felt the heat of approaching ‘annoyance’ rising to the surface.
Pause.
Think.
Inhale.
Exhale.
“You know…you are right.” I replied sheepishly. “I am.”
 
I can’t even recall the subject. Perhaps I was thinking of quitting a job…quitting a boyfriend…spending a ton a money…being angry that so-and-so did such-and-such…
It matters not.
 
She assessed the situation and instead of flowing with the current as many ‘friends’ will do…she, taking in all of my history, taking in all of the scenario, pushed against it and genuinely weighed in.   She refused to let me believe my own nonsense. Instead, she forced me to take a step back and assess that maybe, just maybe: I was wrong.
….and being ridiculous.
 
And, This. To me–is the ultimate of friendships.
 
She could have simply replied:
‘Yes—he is such an ass.’
Or
‘Yes—you should spend that money”
or a million other obliging ‘you go girl’ kind of mantras.
 
Instead, she took the more challenging route—to weigh in. To give opinion. To force me to stand up to me and truly see the situation without the self-focused blinders.
 
-And I adored her for it.
 
In life we will find many a ‘friend’ to sip coffee or cocktails. To celebrate. To cheer. To take our side.  However,  to me—finding those few ‘you’re being a little ridiculous’ friends is priceless. They should be cherished when you find one of these.  For when the going gets tough (and rest assured–it will.)   They are most likely not going anywhere.
 
Today—I am thankful for my ‘you’re being ridiculous friends.’  Those that don’t just ‘nod’ and ‘yes’   (or worse yet–run from my ridiculousness..)   Both of which are the ‘easier’ route.
To you my few whom are in it for the long haul–to you,  I say:  ‘I’ve got your back too.’ And most certainly will let you know when you are being, well,
….a little ridiculous.