In this era of busy, busy, busy, when people over focus on work, the media, appointments and what Nicole Ritchie had for lunch, it’s our friendships that rescue us and give us a moment of calm.

When you have had a stressful day and the kids are driving you nuts, who do you turn to for some perspective, empathy and a glimpse of light?

Friends are the family you choose for yourself, so they say. Well I choose four special people as diverse as they are similar and I have to tell you I would be lost without my girls, my circle of friends.

Angela
The childhood friend who knows all my secrets. The friend who has seen me through acne, fluoro, maths exams, bad men, tears at 2am and more mud cake than I can possibly remember. There is a tremendous comfort in sharing time with a friend who has known you all your life. You don’t ever have to pretend and the friendship is real and forever.

Rhonda
The friend who shares my love of pop culture and all things bright and shiny. The ally who over reacts almost as much as I do and finds hilarity in our common mania. Our coffee get-togethers are loud, excitable, funny and notorious. We bond over our son’s friendship and the silliest things; IKEA, pretty dresses and all things fashionable and not so fashionable.

Leone
The friend who reminds me of myself. The kindred spirit who is almost like the other half of my whole. The straight talking, larrikin who laughs with me, at me and at herself. We have so much and so little in common and we feed off each other’s quick thinking, ingenuity and compassion. We are both so lucky to have found each other. I would most certainly be lost without her insight and humour.

Torresa
The person who has known me my whole life, my mother. My confidant, my friend. While she may not fully understand me, she celebrates my uniqueness and truly loves all my eccentricities. Like only a mother can.

Thank God for my ‘sisters’. They keep me sane, grounded and help me see the comedy in the many ridiculous situations I find myself in daily.

They let me say whatever I want to, in fact they encourage it and they know me, really know me.

Realising that there are people who care for and respect you, not because they are related and obligated, but because they love your way, is a precious thing.

I wish everyone the kind of friendships that I am delighted and thankful to have in my life.

“I get by with a little help from my friends” - John Lennon

Oh yeah.