Pondering The Essence Of Friendship

Today was a day off from both my jobs. A much needed

day of rest. It was a day of wearing a flannel nightgown.

I emailed friends that I hadn't spoken to. Sent out a few "thinking of you cards". Watched "Law and Order". Talked on the phone. 

Looked at old and new photos.

I thought a lot about the relationship of girlfriends ...

a very serious subject and I smiled.

My friend Beth and I grew up in the same home town before kindergarten

and have stayed in touch through the years - we each have 2 kids.

 Many moons ago she moved to Florida. Miles don't matter.

      I see friendships that amaze me. They bring me such joy.

I have younger cousins that are so close they have been like sisters

since birth. They skype, they sleep over, they text...

it is a sight to see. My cousin Linda has always been my sister - we simply mesh, crack each other up

and are as different as night and day in many ways.

 We're first cousins.

She has clued me in to what a strong woman

I am and that the Mondelli woman are survivors.

By listening, laughing, sharing and

most of all being a living example.

Woman have the talent of picking up where they left off.

Be it a move, a busy family life, life crisis, health concerns,

career pulls, divorce  - we're just there for each other aren't we?

There for each other.

And if you're especially blessed, as I have been -

you have a best friend like I do. Pauline and I have been friends since

1st Grade.

YUP.

We grew up together in NJ. Went through homework sharing, bikinis,

swimming, boys, the Rolling Stones, concerts,

Cat Stevens, the Hippie era, high school, first cars, first jobs,

first kids, long hair, short hair, car pools, Tupperware,

Pampered Chef, craft business, summer cookouts, back yard sun bathing,

Jersey shore, teenagers, my first husband, parents aging, surgeries,

wine tasting, our children's weddings, my cancer, her move, my move....

You Get It!

So today I was thinking

about girlfriends....

how we can talk to each

other when our day has been bleak

or when we want to share a joyful moment.

I had a terrifc day off because I thought of all the special

times I've shared and witnessed with the

very special women in my world.

hugs and kisses, jenn

Stormy Spree.... shop, swap!

Charcoal   Gray  Silver   those are my hues of the day.

Benvenuti!

Stormy weather adventure...

put on a load of wash

wait stop! you can do that any dreary day...

phone some friends

555-1234 or whatever their numbers are

put a pot of mocha java whatever on

(no calories on yucky days)

and have a magazine swap!

(or cds, jewelry or dvds)

It's really a hoot - you plan ahead by setting a bag or box aside

marked "rainy day loot" with whatever you and your friends like to swap -

be it books, cookbooks, recipes, costume jewelry, yard sale goodies your not 

in love with anymore, videos you want to pass on, writing paper and cards, the sky is the limit.... you can even just gather things for donation!

You cannot wrap up children or husbands - they are too prescious and they tend to jump out of the packages... I've tried. Jenn