Slow 'Er Down!!

Days are busy. Busy, busy, busy!

So last Saturday, it was especially nice to stop. Sit. Talk. Catch up. With a couple dear friends.

The lawn? Laundry? Bank? Grocery store? It can all wait. Just for a little while...

Dear Friends-Hello Again!

Holiday weekends can be packed events, with family get-togethers or other celebrations. The past couple Memorial Day weekends have also been layered with out of town visitors, as it's the perfect time to draw those extra days off out into an extended trip. Two years ago T's best friend H and wife D travelled from San Antonio TX to visit, and my childhood friend L came from Ohio (now she lives closer, in Chicago). Here we are, at that time.

This year, we had the college reunion activities, then L came for another visit, staying for part of it with my other closest childhood friend, M. We managed to squeeze in a visit, as they graciously came over to our house.

As I say, M & L are my closest childhood friends, since we were about 8 years old. Started with school, Girl Scouts, church. My dad coached the Park District softball team, and if I was on the same team with one of them, we'd of course play the other's team. In high school we walked to school every day together. Sharing sleepovers, multiple crushes, supporting each others' sporting events (L was very good at field hockey and badminton, M & I played softball), hearing about L's camp adventures (her true passion in life), and OK a little studying. Endless hours sitting watching TV at M's house at the kitchen table, listening to her mom laugh loudly about everything in her endearing way. Rusty the dog barking incessantly! Big Red, L's dog, who so longed to run. I remember the time that I discovered him in my neighborhood (she lived maybe 1/2 mile away. As I recall, it was raining, and I managed to grab hold of his collar. He was SOO strong. I wasn't very comfortable or knowledgeable about dogs, yet miraculously I managed to get him back home (OK, really he dragged me). I was practically in tears by the time I reached her house.

M & I went to St. Olaf, and L went off to the University of Iowa. After that, we went our separate ways, starting, then nurturing, our careers & families, but always staying in touch. L always the furthest away, living in Boston, OH, now Chicago. I lived in Iowa, then MN. M in MN. L is fantastic at keeping up friendships -- these things are very important to her. She's like the glue that binds together her cherished relationships.

The years have FLOWN by.

When M's daughter E graduated from high school a couple years ago and they celebrated with an open house, I was delighted to find that M's parents, aunt, brother and their families were there! What a blast! We took this photo, and I'm so glad that we did, as tragically, M's mom died two years ago. She has her eyes closed, but never mind.

This is my theme of the last few days (see the post about my college reunion), but I'm still thrilled at how fun it is to connect and re-connect. People like L really make an effort to do this. I need to do better...

"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships."
- Abraham Lincoln

Um Ya Ya Reunion!!

Over Commencement Weekend at St. Olaf College (Memorial Day weekend), we celebrated a big reunion!

I have to say that in my mind I was approaching the whole event with a little bit of trepidation, thinking to myself: What have I accomplished in these 20+ years? How have I contributed to the world, the state, my community, my family, my chosen industry? Will people remember me? Will my "buddies" attend so that we can connect? Will the food be good? What should I wear?

Well, as soon as I arrived (went with my friend A.) and started to "mingle", gosh, it really didn't matter! So nice to see a familiar face, catch up briefly, see another friend, hug/greet/chat, and so on! Surprise to me, as I really didn't think about this beforehand, how many people brought their children, a few young kids, but mostly around high school age, and some current Oles as well. The children that I met were very friendly and in fact delightful -- a wonderful reflection on their parents.

President Anderson spoke briefly, providing some fun facts about current college life. The scariest thing for me is the daunting tuition now = $38,000. How can I ever afford this, that is, if my kids are interested in attending St. Olaf? Ah yes, will just keep saving, I guess.

We had a wonderful speaker, who talked about connecting. It struck me how appreciative he is for the opportunity to have a college education and to serve his family well. And, as CIO of a major corporation, he has! and is serving his own family and acting as a fantastic role model for his 4 children.

A highlight for me was a song created for the reunion and performed by one of our classmates, called "What Does 25 Mean?" It was quite beautiful!! Note to J.F. -- Please keep me in the loop when/if there is a digital version, as I'd love to download it.

After our class photo in the Chapel, most people stayed and talked even more, nice! Here are a few of us:

After a productive trip to the bookstore, we just had one more stop before heading home. My friend A's whole family is buried at the local cemetery in Northfield, so we stopped there for a quiet tribute and more remembrances.

What a fantastic day. It left me with the feeling...why don't I connect with my college classmates and friends more often?

Friends...

Got together last week for a long overdue gathering with 2 college friends. I cannot believe how the years have flown by!! M I've known since oh I think Girl Scouts 3rd grade or something, through high school, and college. C was M's freshman year roommate, and what a great match they were and are for each other!! In college we had bowling nicknames (Pickles, Bubbles, Spike, etc.) I can't remember what my name was!! Remember punk parties??


Through the years we went on kind of different paths. M & C both got married and had children relatively quickly, while I was later on this timing...Many things happened that altered how often we got together, how available we were, and resources that we had. But we've always been friends...

Now they talk about grown kids, an utterly delightful daughter in a special home situation, one child in college, 2 others going to college soon. And my youngest is in 1st grade!! I hope that I can be as good of a parent, role model, and provider, as they have been for their children.

So here we are...we don't look a day (or hardly a decade) over 30!! At least most days I feel about that age...

“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.”
Elisabeth Foley

st. olaf college