Today as the sun shines and the breeze is light, Im thinking about friendship. Im not sure what kind of friend I am; I hope Im a good one. I didnt read a book, see a movie, or watch Oprah to get me thinkin about friendship. I watched a group of them. Friends. Actually, Ive had the privilege of watching them for a few years now.
We call them the Lyons group. Mainly because one of them has that last name and she kinda heads up the posse. Normally, I wouldnt even think of mentioning age, but in this story it matters. They are 75 years old - give or take a few years. They have known each other 60 years. Some of them even met in kindergarten.
While visiting with them at the B&B this morning, I realized something. I wanna be like them. I hope to love my friends my whole life. What a treasure. What a gift. They have seen each other through, celebrated their differences, and loved their similarities. They have seen dark days and stood in the sunshine of lifes greatest blessings. Together. During their stay, they drink a glass of wine or two, maybe some evenings, three, and eat dark chocolate. And talk. And laugh. About life.
But today, after years of their visits to Holmes County, it seems different. Maybe I have slowed down some and notice more. But today they seem to be relishing each other even more than other years. One of them brought photo albums, tattered from years of browsing and I watched as they reminisced about this girl, or that boy. Its as if not a lot of time has passed at all, memories are so real and fresh. The pictures tell the story.
They are friends. For life. I dont think they agree about everything. Some drink caffeine and some dont. And they are all so very interesting. One will say something I can imagine myself saying, and another will point out something I never even gave a thought about. I love that about friends, the weaving of differences, strengths and weaknesses. The melting together of moments that before you know it, 50 years have passed and it seems still like those photographs.
They still do sleepovers, similar to the ones in the black and white photos. Only now, they drive. And their trip is over a lifetime to a cozy B&B in Walnut Creek. Its wonderful to watch them in action. The story of friends for life.
Stik a Fork into differences, similarities and lifelong friends.
Lee Ann is a resident of Holmes County.
