Gerri and I taught together in a school close by for many years. She was the Behavior Disorder teacher and really helped me get started in teaching first grade. Whenever I was at wit's end, she was there to offer advice. However, she was more than a colleague, she is one of those friends that you can always count on.
I sincerely believe that the Girlfriends Club (group of 9 teachers) keeps together because of Gerri. She makes sure that the next meeting date is organized. She sends birthday greetings to everybody. If anyone is ill or is having difficulty, Gerri will let everyone know and will organize a collection to send a gift or support. When we get together in a large group at the monthly gatherings, Gerri will discretely insure that everyone gets heard. If someone hasn't been able to get a word in edgewise, she'll direct questions to ask how their lives are going. I've always admired that about her.
What I really love about Gerri is that often times we get so immersed in the needs of our families that we forget our friends... we don't make enough time for them. Not Gerri.
Gerri is very busy! She's got grandchildren she babysits several times a week. However, she insisted we have one more time to be together before I left for Hawaii. She picked me up and treated me to a Starbucks breakfast. We could have sat there all morning pouring out our thoughts and hearts. After a year and a half, it was like no time had passed.
We all have challenges and trials that we must deal with in life. I've been fortunate in the friends I grew up with in Hawaii, in the friends I met on the mainland and the friends I've made in the land of Blogs. Each friend is very precious and has enriched my life in countless ways. I just wish everybody could live close by so I could see them more often.
Tomorrow, Art will be having breakfast with his friend. I wonder if guys talk about the same sort of things...
I sincerely believe that the Girlfriends Club (group of 9 teachers) keeps together because of Gerri. She makes sure that the next meeting date is organized. She sends birthday greetings to everybody. If anyone is ill or is having difficulty, Gerri will let everyone know and will organize a collection to send a gift or support. When we get together in a large group at the monthly gatherings, Gerri will discretely insure that everyone gets heard. If someone hasn't been able to get a word in edgewise, she'll direct questions to ask how their lives are going. I've always admired that about her.
What I really love about Gerri is that often times we get so immersed in the needs of our families that we forget our friends... we don't make enough time for them. Not Gerri.
Gerri is very busy! She's got grandchildren she babysits several times a week. However, she insisted we have one more time to be together before I left for Hawaii. She picked me up and treated me to a Starbucks breakfast. We could have sat there all morning pouring out our thoughts and hearts. After a year and a half, it was like no time had passed.
We all have challenges and trials that we must deal with in life. I've been fortunate in the friends I grew up with in Hawaii, in the friends I met on the mainland and the friends I've made in the land of Blogs. Each friend is very precious and has enriched my life in countless ways. I just wish everybody could live close by so I could see them more often.
Tomorrow, Art will be having breakfast with his friend. I wonder if guys talk about the same sort of things...
She sounds like the best kind of friend to have. The one to one time is so special. It is nice to have a lot of acquaintances, but a really good friend is hard to find.I wouldn't venture a guess about what the guys talk about.
ReplyDeleteShe sure doesn't look old enough to be a grandmother! She's just a perfect kind of friend to anybody and everybody. I am sure if she met me, in no time at all she and I would be fast friends. Safe travels home to Hawaii. I've enjoyed our Chicago visit.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's a coincidence that you have such thoughtful friends...to have them, you have to be one yourself :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kathy G. This says a lot about you, Kay. You're not just fortunate.
ReplyDeleteL.
Your 'Girlfriends Group' sounds wonderful. I am going to mention this concept to my daughter. She recently began her teaching career and is having some difficulties with a brand new principal and all the administrative requirements.
ReplyDeleteShe loves teaching the kids but as she put it, "finding time to teach them is difficult if you are constantly attending meetings or filling our forms.
Connie is a Special Education teacher and loves working with special needs kids. Dianne
She sounds wonderful! It would be impossible to feel lonely with her around.
ReplyDeleteI love friends like that!! Your friend Gerri sounds like a wonderful friend and person! Glad you got to have breakfast with her. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeletefun times, it's amazing how you can pick up conversations after months of being apart or even years.
ReplyDeleteYou are as lucky with your friends as you are with your family. I admire people like Gerri, who are good facilitators.
ReplyDeleteYou sure know how to have fun!
Kay you have the best friends, you're such an inspiration yourself!
ReplyDeleteThe friends who you can just catch up with like no time has passed...are gems.
ReplyDeleteMy school friends who have retired have a group called, The Ladies Who Lunch." Same idea, same great times. We need those.
ReplyDeleteYou have some very dear friends Kay, and Gerri seems a lovely lady. Thanks for stopping by with your caring wishes for my father-in-law's recovery. So much appreciated by all of us. Happy traveling back to Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteAlmost forgot, love your new header.
ReplyDeleteYou are going to have to tell us.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I too have been so lucky in my friends. They are one of the best gifts of all.
your character
ReplyDeletehas been the source of your
"luck"
with the people
in your life, Kay-
- if you don't mind my saying
so.
Warm Aloha from Waikiki;
Comfort Spiral
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Kathy G said what I was thinking. You have wonderful friends because you are one.
ReplyDeleteIn your move back to Hawaii you had to give up much. But now when you return to Chicago for visits, you have such a rich experience renewing relationships with family and friends.
I think there is a common theme going on here. I was going to say, "To have a friend, be one." This describes you, Kay. I'm happy you are catching up with your Chicago friends.
ReplyDeleteI am going to say what everyone has said..that you are a wonderful friend to those who are lucky enough to get to know you in person or here in cyberspace...hugs...
ReplyDelete