My husband is having a golf weekend with his buddies and the four of them will take over the house. I'm leaving! After work tonight, I'm driving to my friend, Elaine's, house in So WI for the weekend. She is one of my favorite things and today I'll tell you about her.
Because of my husband's work--and his wanderlust too--I have lived in 9 different towns since we were married nearly 39 years ago. I've met lots of wonderful people in each community , but, ya know, it gets hard to keep those friendships going over all these years. I got caught up with my kid's activities, running my business, adjusting to each new town and sometimes, new jobs as well. People grow apart if there aren't common threads strong enough to last a long time. So I don't keep in touch with a lot of my old friends as I should.
I can count on one hand the really, really good friends I have. Friendships that have lasted many years and still seem fresh. Friends who are more close to me than my sisters were. Elaine is one of these sister-friends and I love spending time with her. She and I met when our youngest daughters were beginning orchestra in middle school. We discovered that we each needed an exercise partner and we began walking together every morning for the next several years--until I moved away from that town. We shared our triumphs and joys on those early morning walks as well as our sorrows and despair at times. We counselled each other about our "unique" daughters and what to make of them. We supported each other when our husbands seemed the dumbest men on earth. When 9/11 happened, we turned to each other for support in what seemed to be very dark days for our country.
Now I see Elaine about 3 or 4 times a year either at her house or mine. She has a very dry sense of humor that I love and her favorite saying is, "Oh well" with a kind of up-and-down inflection on the "well." Cracks me up! She's a very classy and yet casual person and people always feel comfortable in her home and in her presence. This weekend, we'll spend hours talking--over a couple glasses of wine. :) We're planning on going to a pottery in a nearby town where I hope to get a new fruit bowl--or not. We may go to the nearby state park where there are ancient Woodland Indian artifacts--or not. We may play cards all afternoon--or not. Without our husbands (hers is one of the golfing buddies who'll be at my house) we'll do whatever we damn well please.
So my Favorite Thing on this Friday is a person--my best friend, Elaine. I'm so glad you are part of my life.
The best friends are the ones you can completely be yourself with (especially if wine is involved!)
ReplyDeleteOh and I could use some support right about now with a dumb husband and a unique daughter...where are you?
I think this post is a great tribute to a friendship that obviously means a lot to you.
And are you insane leaving men alone in your house? Theyre'll be nothing left by the time you get back...except mess.
What a great post about your wonderful friend! Sounds like the two of you are bound to have a great time, whatever you do.
ReplyDeleteI'm in So. WI too. The hubs and I have been meaning to go to that state park with ancient Woodland Indian artifacts one of these weekends. If it's the same place I'm thinking of, and you happen to see a very tall woman and her equally as tall husband walking around, say hi!
I'm so glad you have a friend like Elaine (and she has you) to share this wonderful life with.
ReplyDeleteYou are truly blessed to have a friend like Elaine. What a fabulous favourite! :o) Visiting from FTF. Thanks for sharing. :o) Larri at Seams Inspired
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely friendship--you're obviously just as wonderful a friend to Elaine as she is to you! Have a terrific time, doing exactly as you please. Sounds heavenly. I have an Elaine in my life too; she is my oldest daughter and is definitely dry humored!
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