Some Time Together

We’re back! You may have noticed that your Two Chums have been MIA for a few days. There is a reason for that.

We didn’t plan not to put any posts on our site the last few days. We generally take turns finding subject matter or things of interest to us that we think would be of interest or amusement to you as well, and which ever one of us comes up with one first for the following day, posts it on our site. But the last several days we haven’t done that. Why? you may well ask. Well we now live in different cities, or to be more precise, we live in different states. Jackie is still in beautiful Southern California but my husband and I moved this past year to the great state of Texas, to live in San Antonio. Our children (along with our precious grandchildren, save our oldest grandson) all moved here within the past two years and we followed to be near them. That means that while we can, and do, have contact by phone regularly, Jackie and I have not often seen each other in person this past year. So we were having a glorious, albeit much too short, reunion the past few days. We spent every possible moment talking about everything under the sun, catching up as only best friends/sisters can do in person.

This month has been so much about friendship and relationship. I am reminded of the sweetness of friendship and the joy of being with someone who knows you so well and for so long. Just a day before Jackie’s arrival I accompanied my 93 year old mother to a celebration in Phoenix, Arizona of a dear friend who turned 100 on December 28th. He is a marvel to be sure. He and his wife had been friends of my parents since they were teenagers.

My mother and her dear friend Dee ( who is now in heaven) at a sweetheart ball in 1944

My mother and her friend John (Dee’s husband) celebrating his 100th birthday.

After John’s party I took my mother to see another lifelong friend, Caroline, who also now lives in Phoenix.

They have been the best of friends for over 75 years. This time spent was so very very precious to them as they both acknowledged it would be their last meeting in person before one of them made her home in heaven.

The last goodbye

Friendship is a treasure. If you have a dear friend, an old friend, a lifelong friend, write or call him or her today and express how much they mean to you. In this season of giving we have all just been in, there is no better gift we give or receive here on earth than the love of dear old friends. Our lives are richer and filled with love, joy and abundance because of the time we spend with them.

Jackie gave me many gifts this Christmas, but this one stood out.

I told her I loved it, and I do, but the sentiment, though lovely and certainly fun, is not quite right. The truth is our years of lasting and abiding friendship, sharing each other’s lives and knowing the other so very well, means we both win.

As 2024 begins may it be a year for all of us that finds us “winning” in friendship and the love dear friends bring to our lives. Happy New Year dear chums! And Happy New Year dearest Jackie!