Friends

Friends – they are the threads in the fabric which makes us who we are.

My friends range in age from early 20’s to late 80’s. Each one brings so much joy to my life. There is nothing like a true friend. They are the people who ‘get us’. They know all our crazy habits but still love us none the less!

I met Christina and Zenobia in first grade. After school each day, Christina and I would watch Dark Shadows, All My Children, and the 4:30 Afternoon Movie. We would dream about our fairytale futures. We would live in England, become rich and famous, maybe become veterinarians, and the list went on and on. Zenobia introduced me to James Brown’s music and Jamaican Patties from Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn. In turn, I taught Zenobia Irish Step Dancing! Thank you Christina for teaching me to dream. Thank you Zenobia for teaching me the joy of freestyle dance!

We moved from Brooklyn to Long Island after 8th grade. I remember my first day in my new school and I was frightened to the core. The teacher sat us in alphabetical order. My maiden name begins with C and the handsome guy behind me had a last name that began with a D. Before class started he tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Hey you must be new because I don’t recognize you. My name is Rob”. That was 43 years ago and we have been laughing and causing trouble ever since! Like a good friend, Rob made sure that my engagement was broken. After all, I was engaged to the wrong person, of course. Rob let me in on the fact that my fiancé played for the ‘other team’. LOL He encouraged me to date the wild guys and enjoy the ride! He said, eventually I will find my prince. Rob’s philosophy was to enjoy life to the fullest and laugh until you are doubled over. He phrased it differently and I will let your imaginations figure it out! Thank you Rob for keeping our wild stories a secret and teaching me to be a free spirit!

I met my friend Mary at work. Always looking for a new adventure – Mary dragged me to all the places I had never been to. She was the Queen of the road trips. Me – I got lost going around the block. Mary would drag me to concerts at Jones Beach that I had no interest in. While Mary enjoyed the concert I would be yawning and looking around for cute guys! Don’t judge – we were in our early 20’s. However there was one concert that is one of my all time favorites – Don Henley. Picture this, the concert opened with a dark stage. Then you heard the heavy drum beat of his amazing song, Dirty Laundry. Then the song started – BAM – the spotlight was on Don Henley behind a huge drum set moving to center stage. BEST CONCERT EVER!!!! I still get goose bumps when I think about how awesome it was! Thanks Mary for all of our fun adventures!

When my engagement ended I remained friends with the boy’s family – in particular his sister Lisa. We became best of friends. Like me, she loved to dance. We would go out to the clubs dancing sometimes until they closed. It was Lisa who introduced me to my prince. We were in each others bridal parties, we are the godparents to each others children and we are never at a loss for laughs. Some of our best get togethers are laughing over some of our prior shenanigans. Forty years later, we are still best of friends. Thanks Lisa for introducing me to Scott!

Now it is 2017 and I have wonderful friends here in the Hudson Valley. My friends Donna, Terry, Terry, Lisa, Christina, and Julie, and I call them The Back Porch Society. At least once a month we get together for coffee/tea/delicious treats and just shoot the breeze and laugh. Most get togethers we manage to solve the problems of the world – or at least we think we do!!

My friends Tony, Roland, and Jessica have guided me on my spiritual journey. Here I have found peace and balance in my life. Three beautiful people both inside and out. They are partly responsible for me starting my blog.

Friends bring balance to my life. We build each other up and make each other feel important and relevant. We don’t judge each other, we make each other feel loved, and it feels wonderful when we are together. My friends range in age from early 20’s to late 80’s. They come from all different backgrounds and yes, different color fur! How cool is that?

Life is very busy and it is important that you make time for your friends. Let them know how much they mean to you. Without realizing it, they bring BALANCE to your life.
I have a sign in my house that says, ‘MOTTO TO LIVE BY – Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, beer in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming, “WOO HOO”, what a ride!’

When BALANCE is present in your life you achieve the ability to SHINE!

Go ahead – call your friend and …….

SHINE! oxox