I received a call from my friend, Debbie, on my 70th birthday. We have been friends for 65 years. She was my friend who lived across the street. The one I loved to play with. We were best friends and you could say we literally grew up together. We’ve laughed many laughs and cried many tears together. We don’t talk much these days. We live far apart. But we easily always pick up where we left off.
She told me she had planned to write this to me, but felt compelled to call instead. She started by saying “When Liz and Ceci (other best friends) and I get together and you come up in conversation, we mimic you.” I thought – this is not going to go well. I couldn’t imagine why they would mimic me. But then she went on – in a high-pitched fun voice: “Let’s go do this; let’s go do that; what if we went there; what if we tried this?” She went on to remind me of who I was in high school; a friend who was brave; who tried new things; who believed anything was possible; and who they all loved because of those things. She said they agreed I’m still that person.
I don’t remember myself that way. What I remember is being shy and awkward; not very popular; one who didn’t really know where she belonged but tried everything; one who loved sports but was clumsy; one who was sick a lot.
I loved what Debbie told me. What a birthday gift.
We all need to be reminded of who we are, don’t we?
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