I am in Toronto where the heat wave is in control. I am with a friend and her children. They dubbed me Aunt Zooey last time I was in town. They are such good kids.
Over supper, one of them asked, “Mom, why are we using these dishes to eat?” The response was that because I was in town and she had known me for half her life. I was a special friend and hence, the special dishes.
When I think about Barb and our journey together, I am so grateful. We met on a retreat weekend for young people and she was one of the leaders of the weekend. She and I clicked, and the rest, as they say, is history. We have been through “stuff” together. In fact, during my sister’s dying she was the one non-family member at the hospital. She came in with me when the priest was anointing my sister. She stuck by me faithfully as the grief-stricken weeks turned into months. She convinced me to take a clowning class which was the last thing I wanted to do during that time. She thrived in it and went on to do some great clowning. I was able to hold onto my sanity with the balance act of sorrow and laughter.
We talked almost non-stop as we drove from the airport to St. Catherines to pick up her kids. We are nowhere near being caught up on life. The memory that comes to mind right now is having a picnic many years ago in Bird’s Hill Park, rather than cancel because of the rain. I am not sure I have many friends who would have agreed to come along and had so much fun when we did go. I have a million little things and a hundred important moments in our lives that run through my memory. I am so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate 50 years of life with Barb this weekend as we hold a joint birthday party for me and her daughter. Friendship is not a big thing to me…it is everything.
Peace,
Suzanne
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