Old Friends

I've had a lot of friends. Everywhere I've lived, I have found fun and delightful friends. They have been with me through all the different times of my life. And there have been a lot of times!

There were the girls I hung out with during Jr. High and High School. There were the guys I spent time with during college. There were the people we met as we moved around the country for David's school and job. From Utah to California to North Carolina to Tennessee, I can claim to have been friends with the best, the most fun, the most caring people one could know.

These are some of my close and beloved friends during our years in Somerville. While our children were in school, we attended sports and band events. We played bridge and spent summers at the pool. We took vacations together. We were a group, a gathering of families that were like my own. They were my helpmates and my support. They were there for me when mom died, when I had surgeries, and when David was ill. Oh, and we had the best parties!

As often happens, most of these friendships languished as the years passed.

All except one.

My friend, Diane Butters Hill.

Diane has been my friend for over 40 years. She knows and accepts everything about me.

If you haven't had a friend like this, you're just guessing at what friendship is, gesturing toward it, assuming that it’s the right name for a feeling you’ve had.

We spent the years between high school and marriage together.

I was her maid of honor.

She was my matron of honor.

I haven't seen Diane for years and years. She lives near Denver and I, well, I don't live anywhere near Denver.

But, despite the distance and years, we have remained the very best of friends.

Even if we don't talk for months, it's like no time has passed at all. Even before the convenience of email and the Internet; when there was only the telephone, she was there.

Just there. No judgement, no complaint. Just there.

I'd like to think I was there for her too.