"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart."
This week I had lunch with two old friends, on Thursday and Friday. This is one of my favorite indulgences: a leisurely lunch and catchup with an old friend!
On Thursday, I had lunch with my friend Nadine. We were in a women's group together for several years. We saw each other through weddings (hers as well as another member's), pregnancies and births (and the NICU for me), miscarriages (on my part), and loves lost and gained (for our lone lesbian member, who had the most exciting, constantly changing love life of all of us). I brought some photos from our women's group days, including one of Nadine holding Chris and another member holding her daughter, while we were all staying in a condo in Breckinridge, CO, attending the wedding of another women's group friend. One thing I remember distinctly from that period is learning that Nadine loves slasher movies! She is a beautiful, dynamic, dark-haired woman with many sisters, and I always enjoyed hearing about the interactions of such an estrogen-filled family. And of course, being with her always reminds me of my own close relationship with my sister Nadine.
Many of us in the women's group used to work together, and I am the last person from the firm who still works there. A couple of the members have moved out of the area and are not terribly good at keeping in touch. Nadine left the company four years ago to start her own business. Recently, she retired for good and is enjoying the task of being a "household manager" for her family and full-time mom to her son Charlie.
Nadine and I hadn't seen each other for FOUR YEARS, since she left the firm. We met for lunch at Pambiche, a wonderful Cuban/Caribbean restaurant in Portland. Her son Charlie is now nine years old! I remember when she was pregnant with him. It was so wonderful to catch up. And I was reminded, anew, of the fact that there are certain people in my life...who, no matter how much time passes, I immediately feel connected with...and can pick up right where we left off. I have truly missed having her in my life.
On Friday I met my friend Caley for lunch...Caley is another friend from work, although she left the firm many years ago. She and her husband have had a hell of a year, since Mark was diagnosed with a brain tumor last spring and spent the summer in treatment. Caley is one of those people who spends most of her energy caring for others...she is one of the most compassionate, gentle, and kind people I know. I never can get enough time with her. Our lunch, although nearly 2 hours, was not long enough by far. She is another person I feel that I don't see often enough, but time stands still between our meetings.
I feel extremely blessed by the friends who have left footprints on my heart. Nadine and Caley are only two of the many people in my life who have richly blessed me over the years. Thanks to each one of you, dear friends!
Beautiful...couldn't help but cry when I read this. Mom
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