An Unseen, but ever present, Root System

Last night I went to bed while a texting conversation was just winding down after nearly 70 texts between six friends. These friends have known each other since Jr. High School. I was the last of the six when I arrived in eighth grade.

Since then we have been through colleges, jobs, marriages, children, single hood, changing hair colors, thousand mile moves, losing parents, losing our minds and long stretches of time in between. But we always seem to gravitate back to each other.

This morning I woke up to that same conversation still going on. It had just picked right back up and continued, just like our friendships over the years. It reminded me of an unseen root system or the pipes below our streets that bring us water and electricity. These women I couldn’t see, especially right now with the quarantine in place, were still there. 

As I read through all the posts trying to catch up with everyone’s input and ideas about how to deal with our current situation of quarantine, I found myself overwhelmed. There was talk of fear and the uncharted territory, the lack of information and the overload of information. Articles that had been read, funny bra and makeup stories shared and ideas for coping with cabin fever. 

The topics and circumstances are difficult right now, but I wasn’t overwhelmed in a bad way, I was taken aback with amazement and wonder. I was amazed that nearly 40 years later these friends and women were still in my life, still supporting each other - being themselves, being vulnerable, being true friends. 

I don’t think I ever planned on being friends with anyone for four decades. How could I know how much I would benefit from knowing them after all these years when I was just thirteen? Maybe I just got lucky, or maybe the little decisions we make in our lives add up. Maybe all the caring and reaching out we do does come back to us. That whole you ‘reap what you sow’ thing.

I think there are dark times ahead and I don’t know how bad it will get for each of us but I want to pause and acknowledge the wonder and be thankful for such good friends through so many years. If you have good friends, even one good friend, now would be a perfect time to reach out and let them know you love them. Sow some love and look ahead to better days, they will be here again.

Thanks ladies.

C.G., D.A., K.K., L.K., R.R. I love you.