So this is gold

I just got off the phone with one of my dearest friends. She is getting married and called to ask me to stand up with her. I told her I would love to, but in actual fact, I am extremely honored. I have always wanted to be a maid of honor, although, I guess I qualify now as a matron of honor. Not quite the same thing, but an honor nonetheless.

We have known one another since her family moved to my hometown in 1974. She was the new little red-haired girl in my fifth-grade class at Mt Hall Elementary. We became friends back then and have been ever since. We have seen each other through weddings, marriages, moves, divorces, childbirth and child-rearing. We have remained staunch friends through thick and thin. She has always been a person I knew I could count on no matter what, and I sincerely hope she feels the same way about me.

Ours is one of those friendships that defy time and distance. Not many friendships continue through 34 years of living. A lot changes in lives over that length of time and only rarely in the past 26 years have we even lived in the same town. But our friendship goes on.

I hardly remember a time in my life when I didn’t know Mary Helen. She has just always been there. Even when we lived 1000+ miles apart, we would write and call often. Now with the advent of cellular phones and email, distance is somewhat negated and our contact is much more frequent.

Gold by Joseph Perry

Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver; these are gold.
New-made friendships, like new wine,
Age will mellow and refine.
Friendships that have stood the test-
Of time and change are surely best;
Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray,
Friendship never knows decay.
For mid old friends, tried and true
We once more our youth renew.
Cherish friendship in your breast-
New is good, but old is best;
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver; these are gold.

So I say congratulations and thank-you to my dear friend, Mary Helen. I am honored that you asked and thrilled to be a part of your special day!