The people I have been closest to in my life have usually resulted from me doing something that I have been doing since at least the 4th grade, which is saying. “Hi, I’m Amber, do you want to be my friend?” Seriously, you can ask my friend Melissa, she heard me say it all those years ago. (“Want to be my friend?” seems to mean something entirely different to me when I put it to paper because it makes me think of Facebook now, but this all started before there was such a thing as Facebook)
As I have gotten older, sometimes it has been a little more difficult to say those words to people, maybe because I was a bit more reserved…time/experience/life…you know. I have found, recently, that I am stepping back to the same approach that I took to friend-making when I was a little girl. I’m open to it, I don’t judge…much (translation: if you’re nice, I’ll be your friend). I have a renewed faith in people because I am finding that there are people who believe in… ”people” the way that I do.
I want to help, to share, to learn, to connect, to engage, to make friends…whether it is through traditional methods or new channels – thank you twitter. I am really grateful to have a mechanism to connect to so many other people; people who share common interests or are willing to have civil discourse, even when you don’t agree with one another. I have met some fantastic people on twitter and I have faith that I will meet many more. So here I am…do you want to be my friend? (in the general way, not in the Facebook way LOL. Well that way too if you want…but we’ve got time:) I hope so…and if not, that’s ok, too. I am a trusting, optimistic person and I’m going to stay that way!
Addendum: Had this post all finished and knew just what type of picture I wanted…one that indicates who I am. So you see ME above. That little girl lives in me because that is me. How awesome would the world be if we treated each other as the “little person” that lives inside of each one of us? No baggage…amazing.
Amber Cleveland's Blog 
You sure can make your Mom cry. It brings back some good memories of you as a child, and the tough times that we had back then. I know that your Grandparents would be proud of you too. I Love you for who you are and who you have become. I am very proud of you my Amber. Love you.
This is all so true Am! And she was my first and only friend I had way back then!:) And still is my friend 25 years later! Hey Am its our 25th anniversary! We need to celebrate!:)
I am happy to know you, Amber Cleveland. If when you beat the pants off me in Words with Friends, I’m happy to call you one. Great post, thanks.
Your name popped up in my email as having followed me. My guess is from my retweeting an article about the shelters and Pedigree program. I don’t prefer to autofollow. So, I clicked you link on twitter homepage, then clicked to here. Read and found this post. It came across so real and authentic. Nice. You have made a new friend. Have a great day.
Great post Amber. I’m glad we’re friends and that you are who you are!