How Do Friendships Start

Looking back on my life and thinking of some of my friends I began to wonder how the friendships began. In my youth;  neighbors, school and church played a big part on who my friends would be. Usually, there was something I liked about a person and that would draw me toward being more friendly with that person. Maybe it was the way they treated me or how they also seemed drawn to me.

Later in life, I remember people who had a great sense of humor and eventually I would become friends with that person. I picked my friends for their honesty, their kindness, and if they laughed at my jokes! The friendships that have lasted have been for over fifty years and even though we do not see each other that often, when we do see each other it is as if no time has passed. Some of my friends have passed away and to this day, I still think about them.

In Mexico they say people of a certain age are called "personas de la tercera edad" which means people of the third age. These are people like me, considered to be in the social security bracket!  Since entering that age group, new friends have entered my life. I feel honored and happy to have them in my life and enjoy spending time with them. These friends seem to have my same qualities and we laugh a lot while discussing our pains, experiences, and families.

Yesterday, I met three friends for a birthday celebration. Two of us have May birthdays and we met at Mimi's Restaurant to celebrate our one year of getting older! The restaurant presented us individual cakes with a candle on top and sang Happy Birthday to us.
After opening our gifts we hugged and parted to our respective lives. I felt loved and I value our friendship.

I enjoyed cards I received and reading all the Facebook wishes. This was a very special birthday thanks to my friends!

"I cannot even imagine

where I would be today

were it not for that handful

of friends who have given

me a heart full of joy.

Let's face it, friends

make life a lot more fun!"

Charles R. Swindoll

*****

Another Lunch With a Dear Friend

Ernie's Bar on 44th and Federal was our meeting place. Ernie's has been around for a long time because when I attended Regis College (Now University) the Loretto Heights girls and the Regis boys would meet at Ernie's Supper Club. Same place but with a different name. I spent many a night with students from Regis. Most of them were Thespians and I got to be around Dennis Gallagher and Mary Jo Caplett; two who made it big!

Ernie's then became My Three Sons and for Christmas the place became a sparkling winter wonderland. For years I would meet two friends for Christmas at the restaurant and exchange gifts and eat delicious meals. Today the place has been remodeled with large open windows that gives the impression of sitting outdoors. 

After three hours of talking, we parted ways with big hugs. An enjoyable lunch with a friend who is thoughtful, kind, helpful, cheerful and fun. Her daughters are the same age as my granddaughters so we have a lot to share and compare while eating a delicious pizza and salad.

******

One Week Later and Enjoying a Birthday Lunch

Attending a book club, I remember thinking that I would love to be friends with one of the members. I liked how she thought and expressed herself at the meetings. When I made a comment, I remember she agreed with me and that made me like her more. Little by little, we became friends and we try to see each other at least once a week. It seems that we never run out of things to talk about and today was no different. We chatted while enjoying lunch at Santiago's Mexican food in Arvada.

One thing that impressed me about my friend was that she helped me while I was recuperating from my broken ankle. She would pick up my mail and when she brought it home to me, we would sit and talk. Since we both are book lovers, we discussed many a story! I admired her when she would not leave another friend who was in hospice care. Even now, she will drive to the cemetery to take flowers to our friend.

Today I enjoyed a birthday lunch with my dear and thoughtful friend.

"I value the friend who for me

finds time on his calendar,

but I cherish the friend who for me

does not consult his calendar."

Robert Brault.