Sunday, July 13, 2008

Sunday Scribblings - My Oldest Friend


I have three women in my life that I have known for thirty plus years. Each one has shared a pivotal piece of my history that has bonded us for life. Renee' I've known for 36yrs, Lisa for 34yrs and Terri for 30yrs. They are my oldest friends and yet do not know each other. Weird? These women are beautifully unique and have each brought something special to my life. They have all been there on my journey but impacted my life at different times and in different ways.


Renee' and I went through junior high together. She lived around the corner and I met her through her mom, my piano teacher. We each shared our first kiss, first dance and first make out party. She was shy and I wasn't but we balanced each other out during the tough years of puberty. We took our 10 speed bikes all over town on many adventures. Had sleep overs, loved being cheerleaders and playing football with the boys in the park (my idea ;)). We both got in to the same private high school that we did not want to attend. Our mother's forced it on us. I ended up finding my way but Renee' was quiet and hated it. She faded slowly away into some trouble and an older man. Early into high school our families had both moved away, losing touch.


After I left my husband I ran into Renee' by accident, ten years later. She was getting ready to leave her hubby also so we joined forces like we had never been apart. We shared a home, kids, dating and new careers. She taught me how to act in a club and to adult date. She insisted on being treated like a lady and was confidant in her beauty. I never did catch on but loved the experience. It was a hard time being single moms but we got through those three years together. She always makes my childhood favorite swiss steak if she thinks I need some comfort food. Renee' is married now, has two kids 15 & 20, owns a day spa and is very happy. She is still quiet, but full of love and generosity.



Lisa was my high school pal. I was the spunky cheerleader with a Pinto and she was the smart beauty with the Vega. Our car's were Simon and Garfunkel. My family tried to get her to snow ski and failed but we succeeded with water skiing on our family vacations. We double dated together, held each others hair if we drank too much at parties and our first loves were best friends. She had a older brother with cute friends, need I say more? We spent a week in Hawaii for graduation with our closest buddies and had a blast. We went off to college together but I left and she stayed. I was in her wedding and she was in mine (1st one). We were right there for each other when we each lost a parent, with love and understanding. She is so supportive of my illness and writing, which means so much. Lisa is happily married to a guy she met in college, has two kids 17 & 21 and runs her own business. She is a loving, sensible, generous spirit and is still a beauty.


Terri was my boss just before I got married (1st time). She taught me my work ethic and was an amazing working mom. We became very close as she helped me through a hard marriage, two pregnancies, tough financial times and low self-esteem. She did this while going through a hard divorce of her own. We hung out with our kids and she even got me to sing in her church's choir. We worked side by side, everyday, until she encouraged me to move on in my career. Her whole family treated me and my girl's like one of their own. She has been so supportive in my life. Terri is happily married with her girls and his three kids. She is a grandma and now a big wig at that same company. Another loving, smart, strong, generous spirit.



These women have so much in common. They are humble, quiet, sensible and spiritual women. Great moms, good kids and all successful in their lives. They watched me get out of control and yet each one has played a part in reigning me in. They all have inspired me to do better and be better just by loving me. Their support has never wavered.


We email and talk on the phone but we rarely get to see each other due to distance. They all have stressful jobs, husbands and kids, which adds miles to the distance. I can still pick up that phone and it's like time has not passed. This is the blessing of having old friends.



23 comments:

Lucy said...

simply beautiful Tammy. You truly are blessed to hhave 3 dear lifelong friends. HOw is it that they've never met up? that is very unusual.
thanks for sharing :))

Robbin said...

Very nice tribute to each of them and for you to be smart enough to learn something from each relationship and for still having them all three.

Linda Jacobs said...

Where would we be without our friends? This tribute is beautifully written. I hope you share it with them!

Amber said...

Great friends like this are gifts.

I have three best friends who also don't know one another. Funny sometimes to think of that. They are each So important to me.

:)

emmapeelDallas said...

You said it girlfriend. That IS the blessing of having old friends, and I have some of those myself. It's funny, there's a woman I work with whom I like a lot, and she likes me, I know, and yet she's told me, she has no girlfriends, and she likes it like that. She's married & has two kids...adolescents...and that's enough for her. But it's my girlfriends who've gotten me through hard times in life...and I wouldn't give them up for ANYTHING...I wonder if someday she'll feel a void there...but maybe she won't! I know I would...

Judi

Giggles said...

I started my Sunday scribblings and it got deleted. You have inspired me to do it similar to yours. At least it will be there for future! Isn't it great to have amazing friends like this! I don't know what I would have done without mine!

Hugs Sherrie

anthonynorth said...

Another great heartfelt post. We all need friends like that.

paris parfait said...

Old friends are wonderful, aren't they??!! It's great even when you haven't seen each other in ages, to be able to pick up right where you left off - no matter what changes life throws at us! xoxox

Tabor said...

I know if a friend is a true friend because we can pick up where we left off without missing a step. Tammy, you are the richest person I know!

Nancy said...

Funny thing, Tammy...just this morning I was feeling nostalgic and thinking of some of my old friends. I really only speak to 2 of them for the most part, but they are precious to me. There's a certain comfort in that history...how they know my core.

But I gotta tell ya, new friends are sweeter than anything in a whole different way. I know, because I now have you.

Love ya,
Nancy

danni said...

tammy - thank you for stopping by my post - you are always so supportive, and i thank you for that, it smooths off some of my rough edges --- this post was so loving and appreciative, your friends are very lucky - and you were truly blessed to have three such wonderful gifts in your life, three beautiful jewels for your treasure box of life memories - sorry for being so long to get here this week, i was late off the mark!!!

danni said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Forgetfulone said...

To have one friend like that is great, but to have 3, that is a blessing. Great descriptions of each of them.

TJ said...

I love my oldest of friends dearly!!
I have picked up a few new ones through out the years and it always seems I have much to share if it is "just about life."
I have fell behind in the line o work friends etc. I am quitely content...yet there are those times.
Love you...beautiful tribute to your oldest and dearest friends.
love TJ

bella said...

ANd thanks for sharing them with us! :)
I recently got back in touch with two old friends from high school and it has been such a gift. I love them and yes we have changed and some things don't change and I think it is very meaningful to have that expereince of continuity, others who know your stories.

paisley said...

just to be blessed with three such vigilant spirits in one life time is an amazing feat.. i really enjoyed this little window into your world.....

Tammie Lee said...

I feel as though I have learned so much about you in this tale. I feel so happy for you to have such wonderful friends that have been with you for so many years. Such a great treasure!

Geraldine said...

You are so lucky to call these special women your long-time friends, Tammy. I had such wonderful, loyal friends in high school, how I miss them all. Sadly we lost touch along the way. I have always envied people with lifelong friendships. Hugs, G

anno said...

I am so happy you have these three wonderful friends in your life... and not at all surprised. To keep good friends, you have to be one!

JP/deb said...

Friends are the fabric of life. What a beautiful post written by a beautiful woman. xx, JP/deb

rel said...

Tammy,
Wonderful to have those intense friendships and warm memories.
I didn't do an entry for SS prompt this week because I couldn't think of any "current" close frienships of any depth. Now after reading your post, I'm reminising about old friends who've faded into the past just like the years do. One stands out as bright as ever. We spent months together as hooch mates in Nam, have seen each other only once since then, but talk on the phone on the Marine Corps birthday every year. He was from Nebraska and now lives in Denver.
Thanks for getting me to think of my oldest friend!
rel

Pam said...

Very touching post about friendship, the invisible thread that never breaks.

Mary Timme said...

I was an older person before I discovered the real joy of female friends. They tend to last for along long time for me too. You did this well.