Golden Days of Fall

Making meaningful time with old-but-gold friends is sheer bliss for me. My daughter, Elizabeth, arranged for some of these to come to my house and have a paint night. We all contributed yummy snacks to the table -- cheese, nuts, crackers, fresh veggies, chocolate and all sorts of beverages. I behaved, mostly, but had one small square of $16 chocolate and I just had to know if I was missing something in this life. I wasn't. It tasted like wax to me, and I blew my diet for that?! It's okay, I didn't go off the rails or anything and learned a lesson. 

These friends go way back, to around 1998 when we had just finished a two-year adventure in a camper on our land. They were also doing the craziness, living in an ancient house and doubling the size of it while homeschooling their kids. We helped each other with our projects, while our daughter became besties with two of their girls. We did a lot of life with their family over many years, so when one of our sons starting dating their daughter it was a natural sequence. A long stretch, many bumps in the road and they eventually broke up, leaving everyone a bit devastated. But God...   2025 finds all our kids on their various paths, some not where we thought they would be. Lots of grandbabies and goodness, tears, glories and triumphs in the rain. This is where we found ourselves Saturday night: the two daughters and their Mama, my daughter and me.  Laughing, noshing, painting, musing together over our messy lives. The pictures that emerged were amazing: a wonky dog with a bicycle flying over his head, a tiny colorful sardine, a sassy reindeer complete with red bow, a quirky and lovely group of flowers in a vase, a Christmas tree replete with gifts, and a tiny, mysterious seaside scene. The personalities of each person came through as well as some latent talent discovered. We promised to do it again, as we hugged our goodbyes. The threads of our hearts drew close and then we were back to our individual paths. I hold all of these women dear. Time can't erase that. 

Ending the weekend of much traveling back and forth: a closing, a shooting class with church ladies (so much fun!), to my niece and nephew's musical recital, to the night with the gals, then Sunday church, I am tired and ready for some quiet. I cancelled two events today so I could just meander through my morning, a luxury I probably shouldn't have done. But I did, and am enjoying the golden leaves right outside my window and a talk with my Mama. Life is good. Don't forget to stop and smell all of it...