Belonging

We went to a Christening today.  My friend, Emma's little boy, Andrew James Surtees was baptised at St Mary's of Monkseaton, a wonderfully warm, welcoming church full of wardens who didn't make me feel uncomfortable even though Tom was less than perfectly behaved!!  It was a lovely occassion and it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling to have been included, like I really belong here - which is not something I always feel. Not that anyone ever sets out to make me feel as if I don't belong here, but sometimes I just do.  I don't always get the references or understand local slang.  Sometimes I have to explain myself, my (admittedly odd!) accent, my choice of vocabulary.  So to be at the christening, and the do afterwards, amongst Emma's friends and family, felt really good (the food was top notch as well!!).  I spent some time with my friend Helen aftewards when we took the kids to a soft play to burn off some of their excess energy.  Helen , Emma and I met when our first children were about 6 months old, and we have been friends ever since.  Spending some time with Helen helped to cement that burgeoning feeling of well being, even though she is going through a divorce at the moment so the conversation was not exactly joyful.  We talked serious stuff but we also just chatted, it felt good.  I am so grateful for good friends.