Best friends

My mom had a best friend, a friendship that lasted over 47 years. By today's standards that is a long time and an accomplishment. And even though mom is no longer here, Mrs. K, as we've always called her, is still my mom's best friend. Mrs. K is as close as I feel I can get to mom still here on earth.

These two met in a very traditional way, their daughters were in the same grade and a slumber party invite was the first meeting. Being a typical parent and newly widowed Mrs. K wanted to see and find out where she was sending her handicapped daughter for an over night stay. From this a friendship was born. Not the friendship of my sister and Mrs. K's daughter, but that of mom and Mrs. K.

The pair came from two different worlds. Mom grew up, married and lived in the same area her whole life. Mrs. K has made it through tragedy-a war and loosing her parents, sister and home, then moving to a new country with her husband who was a doctor. But the death of her husband found Mrs. K alone in this new country with six young children to raise. It takes a tough person to endure and live through all of this much less continue and raise her kids alone.

But these two became fast and true friends for many, many years. Through raising kids, family crisis, life changes, health issues and just life in general they were two peas in a pod coming from completely different worlds.

Each time I go back home I stop to see Mrs. K. She and I always had a fun, joking relationship. And visiting and seeing her makes me feel close to mom. I know the pair shared a great deal over the years, things that neither shared with anyone else. Is that not what best friends are for? They would talk weekly, several times, maybe even daily. The meals at each others homes were always a special occasion. It meant great food by each cook but always fun-I learned a great deal about table manners from these meals. We'd sit at the dining room table, use the good china  and there would be wine and plain and simple delicious food at both homes. Both women were/are fantastic cooks. I always looked forward to these meals-lots of great memories.

Mrs. K's German accent was always a source of amusement for us. Her pronunciation of the English language often caused a communication barrier and humor but that didn't stop the friendship. I still love to hear her accent! She asked me once if I like something I could not understand what she was trying to say, and after a bit of a struggle on her part to pronounce the work and me to understand,  I just said yes wondering what this would lead to....until she came out of the house with a container of yogurt! What she was saying sounded nothing like the word yogurt! This woman would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it, she is generous to a fault!

The bond these two woman bring so many memories for me. Like Mrs. K being the church organist and every time mom and dad were at church and went to communion she would play the song "Oh Lord I am not worthy" a song from their wedding and a favorite for them. Mrs. K would always bring gifts, thoughtful items for mom or for any of us-no occasion needed. These ranged from a candy bar to a keepsake German bracelet for me. She always put a lot of thought and love into her gifts.

So stopping last week for a brief hour brings back great memories for me and comfort. Mrs. K still has her spunk but she misses my mom deeply and talks about memories and shenanigans the two took part in! I love to hear her talk about mom. Both had great senses of humor and work ethics that make me proud to know these two women. Mrs. K is one of the few reasons why I go back home-she is part of my roots that draws me back. I can feel mom in the room with us.

My sister and Mrs. K's daughter's friendship has went by the wayside but mom and Mrs. K are what friendship is all about, lasting through good times and bad. I don't recall these two ever fighting or disagreeing. Both depended on the other for a variety of reasons. It was an honor to witness and be a part of. It makes my heartache to know that the visits between these two are when Mrs. K now gets a ride to the cemetery and visits mom's grave. She makes sure the grave always looks nice and has something on it to show that mom and dad are remembered and loved, and it is usually yellow. For her care I so appreciate her.

Friends come and go in our lives but the true friends are there whether you talk to them everyday or it is years and you meet up and pick up right where you left off the last time you saw each other-that's friendship. Having such a friendship is a blessing that not everyone is blessed with. And witnessing these two women living their different lives and yet their friendship held strong-what a great example. Oh to be so blessed!

Friends come and go in your life but the ones who come into your life and stay are truly gifts from God, a blessing.

Positive thought of the day: Appreciate the people who are friends in you life. They are here for a reason and the ones who stick around or come back and are still tried and true friends are there for a reason and a gift from God. Call these people and talk or do something, keep them close! They are blessings in your life.

*To my best friend, who I've known for 30+ years thank you. We may not see each other or talk very often we can still pick up exactly where we left off the last time we saw each other and make an hour seem like five minutes! And it amazes me every time! Love ya' Shelly.