Weekly Gratitude...

Friends.



"It takes a long
time to grow an
old friend."
- by John Leonard









I am grateful for the friends I've had throughout my life... As a child my family moved a lot... but when we finally moved to Garden Grove when I was in the 5th grade, I met friends I still have today. The little group grew in numbers as we entered Jr. High and a few more as we went into High School. But it was our 'lunch bunch'. We ate lunch, shared our adolescent and teen years together. We shared birthdays and holidays... and although our lives took different turns throughout the years... some went off to college, others traveled, a few got married right away and others right into a career. Our 'lunch bunch' may have moved on into our lives from our little corner of High School... but there was always something special about our little group. When I think of those years together, they always bring a smile to my face.

Two here... three there... each of us have kept in contact with someone over the years... and we of course met up at our class reunions... and although it was nice seeing 'everyone' from high school... we didn't have our little 'lunch bunch' alone together to share all that life has brought us... Until last year when Joan's mother was very ill and passed away. Joan started us off with a lunch while she was down from Washington. Some of us were able to come... and some lived too far, some were unable to make it and some we still hadn't found... but it was such a delightful time together, we all wanted a repeat. So over the past year... Joan... our investigating friend... found all but one in our group... and the plan formed to have another lunch this year. As I mention in an earlier post... a few traveled some distance to come and still others were unable to make it... but those of us who were there... enjoyed the others company.

As we ate lunch, each shared the beauty of what life had brought to them. I loved hearing about all the places some had traveled and the careers others have had... or the honor of being a stay-at-home mom... or the beauty of still living in the same house you grew up in. We talked of children with some in college, high school and a few in grade school. We shared about our families, our parents and siblings... It was delightful to hear how life had unfolded for each life. None the same, each one different and beautiful.

The thing I found most interesting was how our lives together in school until were were 18, is less than all the years we've been away... it's been 32 years since we were in high school. We may not see each other every day, the way we did in our 'lunch bunch', but we still care about one another... we still have this thing in common... our friendship. Old friends sharing all the delightful memories of your past... and after lunch... we were all in agreement that we would like to keep this going... once a year. So I look forward to what the year may bring... and to be able to share it with my old friends.

I do believe friendship is a treasure... once shared it is never forgotten and although years may pass... that something which drew you together, is the something which makes it last no matter how many years go by.... or how long it is between visits.

Today I shared about my old friends... but I am grateful for all my friends. I am grateful for the friends who have touched my life throughout the years.... old, new and my online friends who I have yet to meet... I have been blessed with beautiful friendships... and I am grateful.

"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships." - Abraham Lincoln