Old Friends

You know the kind of friendship that seems to go on for years, the kind of comfortable, mellow friendship that makes no demands, but at the same time is mutually supportive and uplifting? The kind of friendship where you know each other so well, it feels like putting on a pair of comfortable favourite old slippers when you get together to catch up.....

Well I am lucky enough to have a few of those, and they are wonderful.

Two of my oldest friends are Fran and Corrie. We have known each other for 22 years, since our kids were little. Because we all lead fairly hectic lives, we haven't always been able to get together as often as we would have liked, and so we slipped into a routine of always making sure the 3 of us met for tea or lunch on each of our birthdays. That way we could be sure to catch up with each other at least 3 times a year.

It has been amusing getting together over such a long period of time, and seeing the changes.... the first time one of us arrived wearing glasses, followed by the other two shortly after that... the progression of hairstyles and colours ( fighting the grey) the ups and downs of each others lives, weight!!, health issues, work, kids, parents.... seeing how over the years, so many things change, but other things just stay the same.

Sometimes months go by and we don't make contact, yet any one of us who is having a crisis knows that the others would be there in a heartbeat if we needed them.

Several years ago, Corrie re-married and moved, first to Pretoria, and then to London. Fran and I really miss her. But we decided to continue the tradition, and we still try and meet for all 3 birthdays, although lately it has been less regular that it should be.

Anyway, Fran and I got together this morning, and had breakfast to celebrate both her birthday and mine, both of which took place in the last few weeks. It was great to catch up.... spare a thought for Corrie, share belated gifts, and marvel once again at how blessed we are to have such special friendships..... Cheers girls, here's to many more!

This is where we went, Rockafe on the beachfront.....

And here is the view from our table....

So... good friend, lovely gifts, good meal, great view... life is good!