A nice lunch with my BFF of 50+ years.

[eyeamdry]

I got up and out today and met a girlfriend for lunch to celebrate her birthday.  She is now as old as me.  We always laughed about that as I liked it when we were younger.  Now, the six months difference gets teased to me.

We ate at my favorite place, Panera.  After lunch, it was so nice out, sunny and warm so we got refills on our iced tea and sat outside in their little patio before we went to our cars and left.  Happy Birthday Nancy.

This gal always gives me strength.  Without a lot of detail, she had 5 children.  3 died at birth or within a few months.  One is still alive at 45.  Her daughter died 3 years ago at 36 y/o from pancreatic cancer.  She left two children--one is now 14 and the other 21 (going on 17). During the time her daughter was sick, her husband lost a leg and had amputation.  A year or so after his amputation, they found he had colon cancer.  He chose to have no treatment.  Also, she lost her sister to breast cancer about 5 years ago.  This is hard to think about.  She will continue raising the kids by herself as their father is deceased.  I admire her so much for her strength and a bunch of other things.  If I am felling sorry for myself, I often think of her.  It would take 50years to go through all that she has. 

I know she enjoyed our lunch out without any "kid" interruptions.  It's great to have friends like her.

[slccom]

And she is lucky to have you! Sharon

[Katybarstool]

Lucy

It makes you wonder how anyone can cope with so much, doesn't it? Glad you enjoyed your day together, and I hope you have many more.

Kathyx

[harrigan]

Lucy, thankyou for sharing this.  I always like to hear what you are up to.  \your friend is lucky to have friends like you, but I wish her all the strength and health she needs to meet the commitments she has taken on.

When I am a grandma,  I hope I have the same determination and reserve.  ThANKYOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS WITH US  XX Ailsa

[eyeamdry]

My friend, Nancy, is a true piece of work.  Strong, steady and dependable.  I'm proud to know her and can only imagine how much all her losses hurt.  She will have to start rising at 6 am when school starts to get the 14 y/o up and out the door.  She tells me she cleans up a little and goes with a walk with a friend and her dog.  Then, she comes back home and takes a nap.  I love it.I wished I lived within walking distance to her.  Lucy

[eyeamdry]

My cup runneth over this past few days.  Not only did I have lunch with my BFF celebrating her birthday this week, today I had lunch with the daughter of a very good friend who happened to be in town for one day.  This young lady is in the Navy, a psychologist and I am very proud of her and have known her since she was 4.  She was visiting girlfriends from highschool and she made time the next morning for lunch with me.

I, in turn thought that my former boss and his wife, who live local and know the young lady also might enjoy having breakfast with us.  I have not seen them in ages, but talk on the phone from time to time.  The visit was a little "busy" with 4 of us, but I feel good about inviting my ex-boss and wife.  We all caught up and I realize I had not seen my boss in a very long time.  I could see the years pass on his face.  It made me glad to see everyone.

Tomorrow. I go to my little grand-niece's birthday.  She's 5.  I only see her once a year and they come to town to celebrate her birthday with her grandma and other relatives.  I will be around young ones at the party.  It's at a motel pool, so all will be busy.  I will stay until I am tired and go home.  Then next week, I have lunch with all my old girlfriends from the neighborhood.  My cup runneth over and my belly too after all these lunches.  Lucy

[lynnmarie219]

Nothing like good friends and family....and even better are those long time friendships that can be picked up at any time and feel like you have never even been away that long.

Enjoy your time with all of your friends and hold those moments close in your heart!

[iraisin]

Lucy,

Hmmm, I wonder why all these amazing people gather about you...Could it be that you are so wonderful?

Your BFF sounds awesome. You all sound like a "pod of goodness", what a blissful thing. So, so  happy for you and your friends and family.

keep taking care and enjoying!

[Bucky]

Lucy - it seems like you've had a adventure packed week meeting up with friends.   

That was always one of my dreams . . once I got married, to have my girlfriends over to the house, have lunches, dinners, etc.  Unfortunately, that never happened as I moved 500 miles away the day after I got married.     When I do go back to OH to visit family, I try and squeeze in all the friend get-togethers I can . . there usually isn't enough time to get it all done though. 

You know who I would love to have lunch with?  My BFF, Diane Sawyer.   Now granted, Diane doesn't know me from Adam . . . but, she seems like such a down-to-earth kind of gal and I'm sure we'd be friends in real life if we had the opportunity to meet.  I say hi to her each evening on TV.  hehe

Lucy - keep enjoying those lunches and get-togethers with your friends . . time spent together, priceless!     Friends = does the heart good!

Bucky

[kimbo]

Wow Lucy,

Brought tears to my eyes reading about your friend Nancy.

I always admire people who talk of having friends for an amazingly long time like that.

Bucky,

I day dream of a time when we sjoggies could get together, visit and really get to know one another.

Recently I went to a gathering with my husband "The Valkerie Riders Association" over 400 riders of people who ride Honda Valkerie motorcycles.       They meet once a year at different places across the nation (for a whole week)

Well SURELY if those dudes can organize gatherings ......... I believe......maybe......

WE COULD TOO.