A word about friendship

I have some really good friends. Yesterday, I spent the better part of my day with Amy, my oldest and truest friend. We watched her son play in his high school sectional baseball games. What fun! He played shortstop in the first game and in game two, he pitched two innings, as well as played shortstop. The team, Kimberly High School, won the sectional and advanced to the state baseball championship next week at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton. Good for them, but better for me since I got to share the day with Amy.

Amy and I have been friends since we were two years old. Our mom's talk about the day the Vosters moved into the house at 137 Jefferson Place. Amy's mom came across the street, saw me in the playpen and said, "Well, you are going to be just right for our Amy." That was 52 years ago; she was so right! Amy is the best. She is fun, funny, true to herself, interested in others, loving, faithful, faith-filled, honest, kind, caring...just the very best kind of person you want in your life! I wouldn't be the person I am today if not for her friendship and love. I am blessed, indeed.

This morning, I met two good friends for coffee. Alice is 81 years old and Betty will be 77 later this year. Among other things, I share my love of reading and writing with these two "gems." In fact, for several years we three were members of the "Unpolished Gems," a local group of writers who met monthly to share stories and poems. We would critique one another's writing, always with an eye to  better our craft. We read our original stories as part of a 'dinner theater' at Atlas Cafe and Coffee Mill in Appleton.  And we even held a writing contest for Kaukauna High School students, awarding cash prizes for first through third place at each grade level. 

Betty and Alice are wise and wonderful women. We don't see each other often, but when we do, we do not lack for conversation. Today was an extra special treat. As we conversed over coffee (I had a strawberry/banana smoothie--yum!) and scones, Alice began talking about her garden and how much work she has been doing in it. The next thing we knew, she offered to take us on a tour!

We drove the few short miles to her Combined Locks home. She met us in the driveway holding wide brimmed hats! "Just in case the sun bothers you," she said. Have I mentioned that I love Alice?!? I love Alice...and Betty too!  We had a lovely tour through her garden, and as I'm writing this, I realize the only pictures I took were of us, not the beauty of Alice's garden. Oops! Perhaps I'll be lucky enough to stop in at her home again soon...if I do, I'll be sure to take some photos of the beauty in her backyard!

Friends come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Today I am grateful for my friends; the ones I've known almost a lifetime, those I've yet to meet, and every one in between.

Winter 1969-Amy is in the red hood. I'm in my brother's hand-me-down winter coat!

A more recent photo of Amy with her husband, Matt. Matt is my first cousin!

Left to Right:  Me, Betty, and Alice wearing our lovely garden hats!

A friend is what the heart needs all the time. ~Henry Van Dyke