Friends

A couple of weeks ago my friend Karen came for a visit from So. California. It was to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our friendship. We actually met in September of 1959 when we had just started the 8th grade. Karen had moved in around the corner from me and we met at the bus stop. The rest is history, so to speak. And what a LOT of history it is too. After all, how many people can say they've had a friend for 50 years? I can actually say that twice, as Sally and I have been friends for 53 years! But that's another story, as is my story about Mary, who has been my friend for 21 years.

It snowed off and on but we were still able to visit the Capital, tour Temple Square, visit Park City (twice), tour Sundance (no, the festival was held in February), drive through Provo Canyon, drive around BYU, and have our anniversary dinner in The Garden Restaurant at the top of the Joseph Smith Building. I also took her to Denise's house to finally meet Josh and Oakley.

Karen and I have gone through thick and thin together but have always loved each other enough to forgive and forget. I've always said a real friend is someone you can fight with like a sister (I don't have a sister, just 3 brothers) and still know you are accepted and loved.

Karen said she felt very warm and welcomed in my home (which gave me warm fuzzys). That could be because one of the first things I did, after getting her settled in, was to show her how to make the coffee. And I felt very comfortable with letting her do the dishes too. Not like I really had a choice. ha ha I had told her Mi Casa, Su Casa and that was that. The point is, I was very comfortable with whatever she wanted to do in my home and she was very comfortable in doing whatever she wanted to do. That is the way it should be between true friends.

My friend Mary lives in the Salt Lake Valley as well and has heard so much about Karen over the years. Just as Karen has heard so much about Mary. So it was great that they finally got to meet each other. Mary came over for dinner and Karen instantly opened her arms to her. I could have cried. And of course Mary's arms were open for a big hug as well.

I really know how to pick my friends. I feel so blessed and loved my heart feels like it could burst. I've always told my kids that you have to BE a friend in order to HAVE a friend. And I am so very blessed to have Sally, Karen and Mary as friends.

I wish everyone could be that blessed.