Aging with Grace

Sometimes you meet people and know immediately that they are meant to be your friend.

Alison G. Bailey

One of my favorite parts of visiting the Broadmoor Hotel is driving past these stately, row homes. I fantasize about living here. Opening the French doors, a warm, summer breeze softly blows the drapes away from the glass, as I look out on the boulevard below. Coming down the stairs and meeting a friend outside on the walk, we stop to discuss plans for an evening together. Drinks on the patio before dinner at that new, little, neighborhood restaurant we have wanted to try. Friends living next-door is part of the dream. We would make so many memories to treasure.

I was talking to one of my oldest and closest friends, Kathie, this afternoon. She and I have known each other for over thirty years. During that time, we have talked through a lot of what has happened in our lives. Today, I was getting her opinion on something I was trying to decide how to handle. It happened to be in a field she knew. Luckily for me, she has a wide range of experience. She has been a teacher, a volunteer director, author, business owner as well as wife, mother and grandmother. I’m sure there are even more things I’ve missed. Her calm demeanor and rational thinking have helped me to reason through many concerns over the years. On top of that, we share a love of reading, theater and art. Now if we just had those row houses next door to other.

I am blessed with many friends. There is no replacement for the closeness we’ve developed. At times I think they know me better than I know myself.