Nothing Like Friends!

It's close to birthday time, and as I was walking today, I was thinking of what an awesome year this has been! I've met challenges and feel stronger for them now. Some are still on my plate and new ones are on the horizon. But most of all, my relationships with my friends has been strengthened. Meeting new people who have instantly become friends, growing the bonds with already friends, and deepening bonds with the closest friends has made me grateful for each and every one!

As the picture illustrates, sometimes there's that one friend (or two) who stands out in a sea of friends. Being that friend is an awesome responsibility. It takes a special relationship to build that bond. It's one of trust and time. It doesn't happen overnight. It's cultivated. It takes two to make that happen. But as time goes by and it gets tested and survives, then you know that you have something special with that person.

Here's to all of my friends, and to those out there who will be! Cheers!

Serendipity X 2

Over the last week, I have had experiences that have just come out of the blue and been soooo cool! I call them my Serendipity moments. It's when life happens when you least expect it and it has an impact on you! The first really awesome one happened last Saturday at the Summer Youth Development Program ceremony. I saw a name on the poster board assignment that one of the students had made. I knew that it could only be the daughter of my third grade student. And it was! My student was even there! I had reconnected with her a few years ago after 25 or so years. Life had not always been kind to her, but she is on the right path now. Two of her children had completed the program successfully and it was wonderful to see the impact that program had on their family.

Tonight I had another blast from the past! Through my Lincoln Series organization I met a woman from Alton. My mother was born and grew up there. I was trying to find out if she may know any of my cousins, but I have lost contact with them and didn't have married names. So we struck out in that regard. But I did remember that name of the street where my grandmother lived. It was only about eight houses long and was on a hill. (Almost everywhere in Alton is on a hill!) Well, her aunt and uncle live on that street and have for years! They probably knew my grandma! I was so excited to talk with her about the house and that street. My grandma died in '69, so it has been awhile since I visited there.

The house was very poor. When I was little it had a dirt floor in the lower floor, so they could bring in the coal. The bathroom only had a toilet and a shower head, so you could sit and take a shower at the same time. There was only one real bedroom and the kitchen was on the lower floor too. But my mom's family grew up there, all five kids and Grandma. It was so different from our own house, but I loved to visit. Grandma always made us feel like royalty and fixed chicken and noodles, which were the best!

Just meeting someone who knows that house made me feel an instant connection to her. It brought back all the wonderful memories of my childhood down at Grandma's house. Like the old cliche says, she may have been poor, but she was rich in love. I could feel it!

It was definitely "a small world" moment tonight!