A Circle of Friends

                                                                                                                   

                                           

"Circle of Friends".......it can grow or decrease in size or even disappear with our life changes.

Sadly, when I graduated from college and started working, I no longer kept in touch with my "college circle of friends"---my group of "teacher friends" became my new circle.   Again, when I was able to retire for awhile and stay home with my small children, that circle, once so strong and full of fun, vanished.  Smaller circles formed now, basically because of my children and their activities. Baseball circle.  PTA circle.  Ballet Circle. The dreaded Carpool Circle. During that time in my life--- when my kids were so little--- another circle started to grow.

Several of us attended the same church and our kids went to the same parochial school.  We found ourselves involved with many of the same activities.  As time went by we discovered we had  similar interests and goals, but mainly, we just enjoyed the company of each other. We bonded and connected and our friendships grew.

Later, many of us returned to the work force and our schedules became complicated with our jobs and our families.  Yet, we made sure we had time together to help maintain our connections.

At first, that time came in the form of do-nuts and coffee in the cafeteria after church services. The kids ran wild and we visited---it was the best we could do.  However, we were later able to establish a monthly outing at a restaurant, where we could eat dinner(we were WAY past the do-nut stage) and visit. We called ourselves the "First Wednesday Dinner Club"---not a real catchy title, but at least we could all remember when we were to gather for our monthly "catch up"!    A few years went by and even the First Wednesday concept became complicated. The older the kids became, the more difficult it was to carve out the time for our friends.  The dinner club just faded away.  BUT a little group of us, still wanting to maintain our close connections, realized we could adjust our schedules and meet once a week--- for breakfast (food is always involved with us!).  The Breakfast Group---that was us. (Again, not a catchy name---we have issues with creativity sometimes).  We were three good buddies who wanted to stay connected.  Time went by and our breakfast numbers increased by three more as others had schedule changes which allowed them to attend.

I guess most of us have been friends for close to 25 years now.  I can not believe that much time as gone by, but it has and I find it an amazing blessing to have maintained such a strong circle this long.

We've experienced a lot together. We've watched our kids attend school---elementary to college.  We've hosted bridal showers. We've hosted baby showers. We've attended funerals of parents. We've taken day trips together. We've helped each other move.  We've cried together and laughed a lot. We've marched in a couple of St. Patrick's Day Parades. We've shopped at each other's garage sales. We've shared and plotted and planned.  We're thick, we're friends.

       

Because we are friends, we try really hard to remember each other's birthday. Nothing big (unless it's a milestone number---then we get a really great brunch at one of our homes---always about the food), just a little card and a cheap gift exchange....a small way to make that day a bit more special for the birthday girl. 

 

That being said, we just recently celebrated Patty's Birthday.  In case you're wondering about our location that day----it was in the cafeteria of HY-VEE!       Gads.       There I said it---- HY-VEE.  I NEVER thought we would reach the age where HY-VEE was one of our meeting spots for anything, other than buying groceries.  However, their food is cheap, there's always lots of tables available, the bathrooms are close and we can grocery shop after breakfast!  We are, after all, fairly practical ladies.

As I said, this was Patty's birthday.  I don't recall what she was saying to me as I snapped the above photo and asked her, "Is it OK for me to put this on my blog?"  I think it was something like, "Will you STOP that blog stuff--you're driving us crazy"!!!!  It doesn't appear that I listened.

 

Here's half of our group: L to R: Beth, me and the birthday girl, Patty.  She wasn't real thrilled with the gift she had just opened---she had just received another "Tater Twister" (that's a long story, I'll tell you about it another time.).

Here we have (L to R) Mary, Mary Ann and Beth.  They look really nice, don't they? They can be very ornery! Really.

Last, we have Laura on the left and Mary Ann on the right and in the middle is Mary Ann's mom.  We were so lucky she was able to celebrate Patty's birthday with us. She's very up on computer lingo.  When I asked her if it was OK if I put her on my blog she started using words like "Google" and "web site".  She's impressive in interests and looks (isn't she beautiful?  Shhhhh, don't tell anyone, but she recently celebrated her 92nd birthday!).  What a doll.

I have other little "circles", but this is my oldest circle of friends--- I can always count on them and will always cherish our special connection----I hope they feel the same about me.

THE STONE RABBIT pointed out that he felt the same way about his little circle of friends.  They stick together in all kinds of weather.  Their relationship is very "concrete", food is involved whenever possible and sometimes they have a guest.           Dana

                       

Comments

[Brenda]

Thanks for coming by. I guess if you read you see I am on vacation to see my son soon to go to Iraq. So glad you came to visit.

[Brenda]

Thanks for coming by. I guess if you read you see I am on vacation to see my son soon to go to Iraq. So glad you came to visit.

[Brenda]

Thanks for coming by. I guess if you read you see I am on vacation to see my son soon to go to Iraq. So glad you came to visit.

[Jill]

Dana,

That's a great looking group of friends.
It's special that you are still in contact with everyone too.
Sounds as though you might have the bloggy fever. It hangs on for ever. I've had it for over two years now!
That was nice of the stone rabbit to mention his little cirlce of friends too, please thank him for me. I don't believe we've ever met.

Jill x00

[Wonders Never Cease]

I love this post!
What a treasure good friends are. And yours are beautiful!

I'm delighted that you are a part of my new circle of friends.
Have a happy Saturday!
Becky

[Lynn @ theVintageNest]

Dana, Beautiful and warm post. You are so lucky to be blessed with long time friends. Isn't it amazing how we all carry our cameras around with us. My DH rolls his eyes when I bring out my camera in a restaurant. I always wonder if the restaurant owner thinks I am a food critique or something. :) Lynn

[Dena]

Hi Dana,

HOw wonderful to have those precious circles and when they endure the test of time they truly are circles of gold :) You asked about Arkansas, my family is all there in a small town called McGehee. I was born in CA and raised between the two states so I'm have city and half country :) I'm always missing the south!

Hugs,
Dena

[daisy cottage]

Dana, you are all BEAUTIFUL! What a special thing each of you celebrate together - your friendship! ((hugs))

xo,
Kim

[Bonnie]

You do have a neat circle of friends. And I am privilaged to know them.