Girls

Hearing their voice can make a tough day suddenly feel good. Hearing their voice instantaneously makes me feel like I’m on cloud nine (like I’m “a number one, top of the list, king of the hill, a number one…these little town blues…are melting away”)! Immediately.

Two of my dearest girlfriends have re-located, moved, vacated the California premises. I miss them so much. A part of me is empty. Paula moved almost 6 months ago; Michelle moved almost 9 months ago. When I see vehicles around town that look like theirs I still, STILL, even after all of this time, for a split second, think that it could be them in their vehicle. I guess old habits are hard to break.

SIGH

Jennifer, Paula, Michelle, Robin.

We’re a force to be reckoned with! HA!

Between the 5 of us, we have thousands of dollars invested in scrapbooking. Between the 5 of us, we’ve probably only scrapbooked once in the last year! Ah, but we used to have scrapbooking marathons where we would stay up until the wee small hours of the morning talking, laughing and eating.

Between the 5 of us there’s a lot of love, a lot of history, a lot of talking, a lot of listening, a lot of helping, a lot of supporting, a lot of fun and a lot of eating!

Paula always keeps us on our toes, challenging us to expand our horizons. Horseback riding on the beach, check! Dancing in night clubs, check! Day trips to Marine World, day trips to San Francisco, shopping trips, check/check/check! Scrapbooking, check! Forcing us to dress-up for Halloween…every year, CHECK! Pushing us to take the time to decorate for parties…which, in the end, were always well-worth it, check! Helping us move, helping us organize, helping us…whatever, check! Now, Paula wants to do hot-air-ballooning. Like everything else, some of us chickens are all very hesitant. Like everything else…I’m sure Paula will get her way eventually! OMG!

Michelle is game for anything. She is the busiest person I know. If her body didn’t require her to sleep, I think she would be up 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, always on the go! Michelle has been known to start water fights, to tickle the ticklish, to play along with just about any practical joke. We once had her fake going into labor to occupy Paula so we could bring Paula’s surprise party to fruition! One of Michelle’s greatest qualities is that she’s not afraid to share her thoughts and feelings on any subject matter. She sticks up for what she believes in. In that aspect, she keeps us all on our toes.

Jennifer has been referred to as our “Group Mom.” Whenever we take trips, she invariably gets tasked with being the guide (she always knows how to get from here to there and she always has a good idea about what event we should conquer next). She handles all of this with grace and aplomb. When she sees us, Jennifer makes it a point to ‘catch up’ with what is going on in our lives. She listens attentively and caringly. Jennifer is very honest, with herself and with others. That keeps us on our toes! She has a fun sense of humor, and when she lets loose, we are all ensured a good time!

Robin once climbed from the front seat of a moving vehicle into the back seat where I sat crying just to give me a hug. She is nurturing; she lets you know she cares through her actions. Robin helps keep us all young at heart. She’s a go-getter and a planner…she likes to do things just like we do! I don’t think Robin is scared of anything; she’ll try anything at least once. Robin can be quiet; but, don’t let that fool you; she packs a mean punch and a good one-liner…which, if you haven’t guessed by now, keeps us on our toes!

There is a history. There is a bond. We are a self-made family. There have been fights, there have been hurt-feelings, and there have been tears- of laughter, joy, sorrow and pain.

When we get together, it is inevitable that something memorable is going to occur...and I can’t wait for the next get-together!

Here's to girlfriends that I just can't say enough good things about! I miss ya!