Gold

Sue Ciullo

I turned 58 this month. My eyesight isn’t what it used to be, but as my vision has gradually lost some acuity, I’ve gradually gained some insight into the intrepid value of enduring friendship. I am blessed to have a cherished group of friends whom I’ve loved since I was a young girl.

When I talk with these women, I don’t need to explain how my current circumstances are woven with days gone by. They know. They were there.

We knew one another when we wore pigtails, training bras and our first heels. We were Brownies together, had pool parties and sleepovers at each other’s houses. We knew each other’s parents and siblings, and the dogs and cats that we have held dear as we grew from little girls to teenagers to women. We saw each other’s mascara stripe down our cheeks as we each endured breakups with the guy we just knew was “the one,” as our children were born and then grew up too quickly and left the nest and as we said goodbye when our beloved moms and dads left this world.

At this stage of our lives, we’re done with judgmental attitudes, petty grievances and holding grudges. We prefer instead to treasure one another. We admire one another for overcoming the adversities that we’ve each faced. We delight with one another as we welcome new daughters and sons-in-law into our families. I have rejoiced with my friends as they have been blessed with grandchildren, bringing renewed delight into their lives.  Our faces are now aged and differently lovely. Together we laugh still, uproariously until once again, mascara stripes down our cheeks.

These friends are gold to me.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17 NLT

I would love to hear from you. What are the traits of a good friend? What have your friends done for you that make them golden to you?

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