Last weekend at my college reunion I had the privilege of sitting next to not one, but two of the women who not only knew me when but who also lived with me, bless ’em. As we sat and remembered and laughed and longed for more time to talk, a couple of moments stood out that reminded me why they are my friends.
Because they are–no matter how much time or distance is between us–these women will always be my treasured sisterfriends.
Friday evening my Deer friend came into the concert after the lights had been lowered. I hadn’t seen her in over 20 years I guess, but in that moment it was like no time had passed. I went over to her and led her to where I was sitting, giving her no choice but to follow, bless her heart.
In a break in the performances, I leaned over and whispered, asking her a question about how something had come about, and she nodded and started to say something. Then she shook her head, shrugged, and said, “No. I mean, I could make something up to tell you, but no, I really don’t know.”
I am still laughing over that one. I don’t think she has it in her to tell anything but the truth. I love that about her.
The next morning she and I were standing outside with our Rosie friend waiting for the processional into the beautiful and touching Candlelight service which would induct the seniors at our alma mater into the Alumnae Association. We were catching up and all when she said, “Oooh! I think a bug just flew in my eye.”
Y’all. Spring in Georgia sure was lovely. All fifteen minutes of it before the gnats came back–bringing reinforcements.
Sure enough, a gnat had flown into her eye. She blinked and rubbed for a minute or two. “Just my luck,” she laughed.
Our Rosie friend nodded and said authoritatively, “Yes. Actually, that’s right. A bug flying into your eye IS lucky. Kind of like a bird when a bird poops on you. Only not as messy.”
Chuckling, our Deer friend agreed that she’d rather have the bug than the poop. At the luncheon after the meeting this same sweet girl (she hasn’t aged a bit in 25 years, I’d hate her if I didn’t love her so much) had an extra sweet tea in front of her place setting.
“See?” said our Rosie friend knowingly. “I told you. It’s your lucky day. You are ON.”
I just love her. She has all the grace and beauty of her mother, and all of the wit and laughter that I love and miss so much.
Tonight I give thanks for all of my beautiful and sassy and smart and funny sisterfriends. Most of all I am thankful for a friend who tells the truth and whose sweet spirit makes me smile, and I give thanks for a friend who can make up something that helps make all right in the world for that moment.
Kind of contradictory, right? Gratitude for the truth and for a story. All in the same breath.
And yet. It all makes sense. Surround yourself with folks who love you–folks who will tell you the truth when you need to hear it and will tell a story that will bring you comfort when you don’t.
Find friends like that and they will be yours for life.
Wishing you all will be so fortunate–
Love to all.
I Might Need A Nap 