The Girls From Ames

Have you read the book yet?  I started it last week and couldn't put it down.  It is the true story of a group of 11 friends and their 40 years of friendship. Reading the book made me reflect on the girlfriends that I have been blessed to know and share memories with.   

Girlfriends have always been very important part of my life.   Growing up, I wasn't popular or part of a clique in school but I always had a good and trusted friend.  One of my high school teachers once said, "if you can live your life having made one true friend, you have experienced more than most people do in a lifetime."   I treasured those words.

After reading the book I wanted to talk about it with someone so I hope some of you have read it, or will read it and add your thoughts.  I was so surprised at the large circle of friends, being so connected without the discussion of jealousy.  There were plenty of other emotions shared but that one element was missing...I think it to be a good thing.  One thing that was upsetting was reading about the "mean girls" incident.  It was painful to read and something that I'm sure many of the women regret today.  Sally had a huge heart.

My 40th Birthday Party in 1996 - a wonderful circle of friends

 

When I turned 40 I wanted to honor my friends and all but 2 of my  closest friends were able to gather for a party that was held in their honor.  Each of them have given me the gift of friendship for many years and I love each of them dearly for their incredible gift.   As a part of the celebration I wanted to give each of them a keepsake gift to mark the occasion.  It was funny when I went to buy their gift(I ordered engraved silver cuff bracelets), the shop where I did my shopping thought I was getting married!

 My girlfriend Chris.  I wish I had a picture of her with her chickens.

I've never had a group of friends that were connected in any way, nor did I feel that they needed to be.  Each of them knew something about the other, but my friends come from different parts of my life.  

 Here's Judy!  Just can't imagine my life without her in it.  We raised our kids together. 

There are friends from when I taught school, worked in the firm, from junior high and high school, college, church and my neighbor of 18 years.  Each are important to me in so many ways.  Most celebrated my 50th birthday too.  It meant so much when my Dad died to start the funeral and realize that Melinda, Judy, Fran and Tricia had traveled 2 hours or more to be there for me. 

My high school friend, Deborah

If only there were more hours in a day.

I'm so lucky to have a soul sister like Adrienne...

Adrienne in France

and we are so connected. She lives in NY but we still manage to see each other once a year.

Adrienne on the Great Wall

 There is also my soul sister that lives in Seattle.  She's the mother of my Goddaughter, Shea.  Of course we have to connect as often as possible.  I don't want to miss out on watching Shea grow up.

Caitlin and Shea

Then there is my sister.

Me and my sister - the laptop sisters (notice the matching pajamas - we still buy matching clothes).  Please overlook the morning face with no makeup.  BTW- the critter hanging on the bed is a possum.  I call my husband Hossum and he calls me Possum and I actually found a stuffed 'possum at Cracker Barrel!

It has always seemed that each friend is like a facet of me and they polish and add shine to my life.   I would love to have more time for girlfriends.   After reading the book I want to have girlfriend reunions every year.  Please add your thoughts.

Wow.  The power of sisterhood.  It's one of life's greatest gifts.

James Earle Jones said, “One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter,”   and that's exactly how I feel about my friends.