Friendship - Redux……

Somewhere in my reading history I found the following quote: "True friendship takes us by the hand and reminds us we are not alone in the journey."

I just spend a few days with four true friends. We all met each other in 1964 at Ripon College, joined Alpha Xi Delta sorority as members of the pledge class of 1965. I'm not sure Alpha Xi is still on the campus, or even around as a national sorority - but there are six of us who are possibly closer friends now than we were at the time.

We re-connected at our college reunion in 1994 - had such a wonderful time that we decided we have to do this again! And so began an almost annual gathering - at each other's homes or in places where one friend had time-share opportunities….for me it's my annual "therapy" weekend….necessary for my mental health!

We women, now all retired, are very different. We share some life experiences….but each also have unique families, histories and stories to share. Maybe that's part of what makes the reunions so very special. We fly to the gatherings from Florida or North Carolina. Drive from Chicago or Wisconsin - depending on the plans for the year. This time I was the hostess and we rented a three-bedroom B & B in Hales Corners. Sadly one member could not attend….and the rule is, if you MISS a year, we TALK about you! :-)

Arriving on Tuesday afternoon the conversations and laughter begins, the wine flows, the memories come flooding back - we finish each other's sentences. And, no matter where we are, we explore. The art museum in West Bend, our new condo in Port Washington, the ladies bathroom on the 23rd floor of the Pfister Hotel! We had coffee and conversation for several hours in the Pfister lobby bar, a delicious dinner at a restaurant in the Third Ward and attended one hysterical play at The Chamber Theater.

We spent some time on a "craft" activity - always another cause for laughter and togetherness with various degrees of creativity.

We spent one evening discussing everything from health issues (why does this topic begin to take up more time at every gathering!?), politics and religion, the state of the world, our kids, our grandkids….an A to Z kind of thoughtful evening's discussion.

Next year is Chicago - not sure of the date yet…..but I will be there. I don't want to miss it…and I don't want them talking about ME!

So here's to my college friends - Susie, Judy, Linda and Diane - Donna we missed you!