With the debut of the website in September, I have been busy trying to get the word out about this unique opportunity to develop friendships between women. Two of the members of our own NFLL group belong to a sorority and thought that the new website I was developing would be a great thing to present to the sorority at their first meeting of the season.

Armed with a portable podium – for moral support – I presented the concept of the NFLL to this great group of women. To say I was a little nervous would be a big understatement. Here was a group of women who already had friends – who were committed to one another and who had been together for many years. What could I possibly tell them about making friends.

I needn’t have worried. I was so very pleased to receive such a wonderful reception. From the start of my presentation they were warm and accepting – making comments – adding suggestions – relating stories. These women knew what I was saying when I talked about the value of deep abiding friendships.

We know the joy of a good friendship but we may not be aware that recent studies at various universities around the country have verified that a woman will live a happier, longer life if she has a least one good friend and confidante. One of the sorority members related that when she went through her husband’s fatal illness, it was the friends that surrounded her that kept her sane – and healthy.

It was the same for me when my husband was dying. My women friends were beside me through the worst days of my life – supporting me and rescuing me from despair. They were also there for my loved ones, including my husband and children who were also suffering.

Good friendships don’t just shine a light on one person but rather they radiate all around us by giving hope, love and meaning to our lives. The husband of an NFLL member once told our group that having his wife in such a group makes his wife a better wife to him – and he thanked the entire group for doing that for her - and him. Quite a compliment!

If you are in need of a good friend, please take the time to investigate the NFLL Network for yourself. Somewhere there is a friend waiting to get to know you.