Posts Tagged ‘friendships’

Summer time is Reunion Time!

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

 

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.

It was so much fun.

I can't wait till the 40th!!!

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Friends Family and My Hometown

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Guest Blog : Shari – The Friendship Stone Team - Now in Canada!

Every summer, usually for the best part of August I pack my bags and together with my daughter we travel to Ontario Canada for a visit with family and friends.

I have been living in Israel for 28 years, but come summer time I become a Canadian again!

This trip however I knew ahead of time that it was going to be different.  My mom who is getting older (and wiser) has not been well so we are basically staying with her and not traveling as much as as we usually do.   Mom lives in an assisted living complex, the average age being 80 – all of the sudden I feel really young!

I have been cooking – cleaning – doing laundry etc…oh yes this is a working vacation!

We also have played bingo – watched movies with the girls (again 80 and over) and gone on short but nice walks.  Spending time with mom is good.

Don't look at my cards!

Don't Look at my Cards

 

Mom is the serious Bingo Player

 

I want spend time with my close friends.  So I called my "girls" and explained to them the situation. Of course they said no problem we will come to you.  Mom goes to Dialysis 3 times a week for 5 hours so we are available to do stuff during those time slots. 

Last Saturday my Girl Jackie and hubby surprised me with a visit on the way to visiting her father in law in another city.

Sunday my oldest and closest friend Debbie came in from Toronto with her hubby and took us sailing for the morning on her father's boat – then picked up mom and went for lunch together,  Debbie and I  have been friends since the day we were born – we are second generation friends, our Mothers' were Best Friends too.

What an amazing gift friendship is. 

My oldest closest friend and My Princess 

Friday, my Girl Eve came in with her daughter and we spent the day at the African Lion Safari.

We were 4 little girls having fun! 

The girls played together and got along amazing.  I even had a ride on an Elephant!  I love the elephants – except I think that their eyes look sad all the time.

 MJ asked if I had a Friendship Stone in my bag, (of course I did) she asked if she could give it to her friend! I thought that was a wonderful idea – so the two of us gave Mom and Daughter a unique gift to remember this day of Friendship and fun.

Second Generation of Friends

Lions and tigers and bears oh elephants!

That was fun! her name is Lilly

Now we all know that Facebook is great for connecting friends right?  

A couple of months ago I found a high school friend on Facebook(she was only in school with me for a short while but made an impact on my life) .  Claudia had come from Chile and had traveled to places that I had only dreamed about! 

She is beautiful!

 

Well last week I noticed that she was on Facebook…Said hello and told her I was in Canada visiting my mom.  She told me that she would be at her father's close to my mom's place – so we planned to meet. 

It has been almost 29 years since the last time I saw Claudia but when she opened the car door…. she looked as beautiful as she did when I last saw her!

Claudia was being silly and we loved it! 

We spent a great afternoon together (she brought her 6 year old princess)  - The two of us walked the paths down the Hamilton Waterfront , caught up with each others adventures in life as the girls scooted in front, and 

 

MJ and I gave them Friendship Stones to remember the day – Claudia received a Traveling Friendship Stone – she is a traveller – it will be fun to watch her stone travel the world. 

Ice Cream is an international language for kids! 

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