Old Friends

There’s nothing quite like friendships from way back.

Me & college BFF's 30 years after our graduation. Pic 25 years ago.

Yesterday a new friend introduced a smiling woman, her best friend, she said, since they were nine years old.  The friends beaming face confirmed it.

Ole’ devil envy momentarily crept into my being because I have no friends from my grade-school days in Zanesville, Ohio although a few names are imprinted in my memory . . . Bonnie Jean, Mary Helen, Jeannie, Ruth Ann, Dixie, Myrna.  If you read Black Star Girl you may recall how my father and mother moved us north, to rural Ohio when I was twelve years old.  Yesterday I was jealous in the aura of those ladies who knew each other since elementary school.

A few years ago, a woman at the Zanesville Public Library, waiting for my talk and book signing, introduced herself wondering if I remembered, “We used to play hop-scotch together”.   When she said her name, I did remember Shirley. It was a good moment.  

These days, I’m thinking, it’s pure gold for individuals to have mutually cared about one another down through the years – to be friends forever.  May the two whose company I shared yesterday always be together, even when they are not.  That’s how true friendships are, there’s an understanding that overcomes even sporadic contact.  

May I find myself picking up the telephone to hear the voice of a friend not heard in perhaps, years.  I had the experience last weekend.  “I’ve been thinking about you,” Ruby said.  Not until a half hour later when the telephone was back in its stand, did I realize,  with our conversation a happy calm had blessed me.  My heart was full of gratitude. 

I know what to do.  I’ll pass it on.  Old friends, you’re going to hear from me!