When you look at your life, when you think of your friends…are they life long? Have friends come and gone depending on where you lived, what you were doing or what your interests were? Do you think everyone has at least one BFF (Best Friend Forever)?
I began this post thinking I would write about ‘my people’, my YaYa’s, my high school friends.
I met all but Karen in the sixth grade when I moved to Holden, a scared newbie entering a completely new environment. I met Karen in high school when Holden Junior High and 5 towns convened at Wachusett Regional High School. Some of these ladies never lost touch. I however had to experience my less than stellar hippy period; yet they have warmly welcomed me back.
Since Covid, we have tried to gather for a zoom call at least once a month.
I know… not the most attractive picture, but there is joy in the making here. It is a delight to catch up each month. We talk travel, books, family, health, food and any other topic that blossoms. These ladies spark comforting nostalgia and add a grounding sense of identity. They know my Holden beginnings…to me that’s comforting. They knew me when I was still grappling with who I wanted to be.
friendship-
so long ago
1963 to be exact
my would was uprooted
with a new town
a new mother
a new family
new friends
as little girls do
i found ‘my people’
i came and went
veering off for a bit of ‘hippy’
they haven’t held that against me
friendship has endured
now
in 2026
we still care
we still have ‘us’
Most people are social beings, appreciating being a part of a friend group, to feel a sense of belonging. As Brent Brown says “True belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to BE who we are.” I feel that with this Zoom group. Our life stories couldn’t be more different. Our work lives, marriage stories, education, passions…all different. And that’s OK
I am blessed.
Does that mean they are all my BFFs. No. I have only had one BFF, Russ. When he died I was bereft, lost, struggling. Since meeting Doug, I am grateful for his care and attention. Is he my BFF? I don’t know yet, but he is most certainly a treasure.
What I thought about as I got thinking about my Zoom friends and our meeting today, was how many friends have passed through my life. Following are some of them. I only used photos I was in, no family are included..though they are all besties. And than there are friends I have photos of, but without me in the picture…
I have found a good base of people here in Tucson. It took some effort. I couldn’t sit home and wait for them to come to me, I had to be proactive.
When you think of your world, your journey, what comes to mind when you think of friends?
