Guest Blog : Susan Graves Vousden On of our Facebook Friends!
Thank you Susan!
This past weekend I traveled home to attend my 35th high school reunion. I was excited to see all my old friends but also a little nervous. Some of them I hadn't seen in 10 years. All of us are in different places in our lives and I wondered if we would still connect in the way we used to. We planned to meet for breakfast on Sat at 10:00 and I hoped everyone would show up. I was worried for nothing. Everyone showed up..all 11 of us! It was like we had all met here last Sat morning instead of years ago. There was laughter and tears, teasing and consoling, hugs and kisses, and pictures. Boy were there pictures! Two and a half hours flew by, way too fast.
As I talked to my friends that morning I thought about who I wanted to give my Friendship Stones to. Who needed an extra "hug" and who had given me one when I needed it. I left that morning still thinking about how I love my friends and how different my life would be without them.
That afternoon I gave two of my friends The Friendship Stone. My one friend I gave the Traveling Stone. She's just moved, is not adjusting well, and needs to know someone is thinking of her. She also left a lot of good friends behind and I knew she'd pass the stone along.
The other Friendship Stone I gave was to a friend I've had for 40 years and she's a great friend to all and a wonderful person. She personafies the word friend and has made me a better person just by knowing her. The third stone I gave was also to a friend of 40 years. She told me she was proud of me and my strength and honesty and I was one of the best friends she ever had. I was touched and ashamed because I felt I could have been a better friend to her over the years.
I wanted her to know I was there for her everytime she touched the stone and I promised myself to touch base with her every week.
That evening was the reunion. It was a great success. Everyone had a wonderful time. I spent the evening watching my friends and thinking how empty my life would be without them. Each one adds a different dimension to my life. I have many new friends but my old friends are the best. They knew me when. They know where I came from and why I do what I do. They love when me don't always love myself. I was honored to be able to spend time with them on this special day. I was glad to be able to show them what they mean to me.
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