Friendship
So what is so important about the third week in October? Other than Christmas, it is the best time of the year! And if you are a Cubs fan (which I am!) we made our way into the World Series which seems like a dream come true, but that is not the reason the third week in October is so special to me. At the risk of showing my age, I graduated from high school in 1984. There were 4 towns that fed into Lincoln-Way High School. Along with my best friend, from Kindergarten on, we became friends with four other ladies from the neighboring town.
We have seen each other through getting married; having babies; trials in careers, relationships and children; becoming empty-nesters; and even 2 grandchildren for one friend! Through it all we have been there to support each other-even when we don’t talk or see each other for months and even years at a time. Because family, especially our children’s schedules kept us from meeting more often, we would gather every few years. Between the six of us we now live in four different states. With this constraints in mind, we have come to the conclusion, no matter what, we are better for having carved out the time to gather every year. I just returned from the second “Annual” trip and feel like a rejuvenated version of myself. (After just speaking to my daughter on the phone, she commented, “You sound so happy Mom!” And I am!)
While there is no prescription that a therapist or even doctor can provide stating that the best medicine is time with friends; I know for a fact it is a cure to feeling lost, frustrated, overwhelmed, overworked, etc. It is just good for the soul.
So the third week in October, is reserved for my friends. As we gather together, visiting different locations across the United States, I find myself laughing, crying, relaxing, remembering who I am and where I came from. I will always cherish these exception ladies…Beth, Dawn, Sue, Andrea and Theresa. I’m already looking forward to our next adventure!
May you have life-long friends to share your path, even if you are only able to celebrate the journey together on occasion.