Friendship

I was driving down the street yesterday when I saw these two ladies strolling through the afternoon sunshine. They were walking and laughing and I, passing on the side of the road was roped in by the simple joy of it. I drove two blocks further down the road before I remembered that my camera was in the car.

I pulled a U-turn and found them, still walking and still laughing as they continued on their path to wherever. In my minds-eye, I pictured myself 30 years from now, walking with a good friend, sharing tales of our youth and remembering the times we were footloose and fancy free or found ourselves sharing a laugh in spite of the fact that we were encumbered and heavy with the weight of our world.

In spite of the obvious reasons why I shouldn't, I put the camera to my eye and took this pic. Now at a busy intersection, I wished the women were someplace I could pull over and talk to them. Where I could ask them about their friendship and joy or ask them if they had any advice they wished to share. I wished I had a moment to thank them for being on my path, to offer them a copy of the pic.

Instead, I pulled another U-turn and continued on my way, thinking of the friends I would like to take as far forward into the future as my life stretches and of the joy and support I hope we continue to give each other as we move through this lifetime.

I hope that when I realize my time here is running out that I decide to make up for the 40+ years I didn't wear eyeshadow and try to wear them all at once as this lady – for whatever reason – does and I hope that the friends I have will be able to overlook it enough to want to hold my hand anyway.

I hope that, no matter how slowly, I am able to walk freely without the aid of a walker or cane. That my hands are free for holding and that I have enough control over them that I can manage to hold on to another.

I hope that my memory is good enough that I can remember who my friends are and what they bring to my life but also that it is short enough that the laughter matters more than the tears.

I hope that I still want to be touched.

I don't know why these women were holding hands. I know that over the years many women have held my hands both literally and figuratively and that it was always a reflection of a deep emotional connection that we shared.

As I arrive in my driveway, the warmth in my heart causes me to send a prayer of peace and gratitude to these women. To all women and the friendships that hold us together when it feels for all the world like we're falling apart.