"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted."
Bertrand Russell
Every morning my forever friend, Syl, gives me a call on her way to work. She always sounds like she's in a tin can and therefore carries that prestigious name on my list of favorite friends. We have been friends since we were four. Her call today might not of happened, as this week she almost choked to death. As she calmly recounted the story in an almost humorous way I nervously laughed along as she shared the weird details. But the minute I hung up the phone I realized I would never take our friendship for granted again.
Our lives have so paralleled one another... though at different speeds. I'm the proverbial tortoise and she the hare...probably what got her in trouble gulping down that bite of steak. Her humor has always balanced out my seriousness and her get up and go has prodded me to great things or at least to get off my duff.
How can you regain so many years of experiences with a new friend? You can't. But the things I've learned with Syl help me establish every new acquaintance I make. Knowing that all of the work, tears and tenderness of friendship is worth every moment of effort.
It would be natural here to show pictures of Syl and me growing up and then some of us now... but Syl hates pictures of herself so I won't share the few that I have. Our images are the hugs and experiences of our lives and they just can't be captured on film or file.
This is to honor my friends...whom I will no longer take for granted!
Man, that was a scary moment! This was a neat post, Bev, and a great reminder.
Posted by: Molly W. | August 30, 2009 at 10:22 PM