The Blossoms of Friendship

I have been blessed all of my life with friends.  My oldest friend is Sophia (6th grade) , next is Linda (9th grade) and next is Elsie (when I was 20).  So many friends followed and again, I say I am blessed.  It is a special feeling when you know that if you are in a hard place physically or mentally, you can count on these people and for me, it's always felt like I have not been alone.  Sometime, even when you don't see them or talk to them for years...one encounter and it's right back there again.

For me, here in Spain I knew I would see lovely places, meet local Spaniards, find cousins and connect again and maybe find myself in the mix.  What I didn't expect to find were new friends that could melt one's heart with their softness, welcome, thoughtfulness and everything that goes with friendship.

On Easter, I drove to Los Nuñez and found Lyn's welcoming smile, embrace, kisses on each cheek and her dogs welcome me like a long-lost relative.  She is full of love, smiles and kindness.  When I told her the wine cork opener at my house was broken, she lent me one of her own.  In years past, mom and I've had many a laugh trying to open a wine bottle without an opener but I was alone and at the wine bottle's beck and call.  I needed an opener and Lyn came to my rescue.

When she thought I needed entertaining, she lent me a bag filled with DVDs (although I can't figure out the DVD player now, I'm hopeful one of my brothers will help me when they arrive in May).  She lends me books to read, prepares me breakfast, lunch and dinners and shares stories, her children and her past life.  She lets me look in the window of her life with her sweet Shaun before he passed away.  We'd kept in contact since 2012 when I first met her, but over the years it has evolved into a lovely friendship.  This trip, I am humbled by her friendship and she will be what the children call a BFF.  She always makes sure I take something away with me when I visit before driving El Carro back home to Calahonda.  I share her love of flowers, country (el campo), children, reading, walking and laughing.  She has made my Spanish adventure more special than I could have imagined.

And then there is Saidie, Lyn's friend that I can now call my friend also.  This is a lady who has gone through some very complicated issues in her life (including Alopecia Areata that affects hair follicles and you lose all of your hair) and still remains steadfast in her strident independence.  Yes, she will do her own gardening.  Yes, regardless of the hip replacement and subsequent fall and hospitalization, she will be independent.  She and Lyn are fast friends and it amazes me to hear the stories between the two women.

On Easter, while we were cleaning up after the delicious dinner, I mentioned to Saidie that I thought her necklace was beautiful, dainty and the marquesite with black stones, gorgeous.  The woman reached back to the clasp, removed it and hooked it around my neck.  I thought it was because she wanted me to see it  in the mirror, but no!  She said it was my gift.  Regardless of my surprise and a bit of embarrassment when I told her I couldn't accept it, I saw the look on her face.  She was delighted to offer me this gift!  And the pleasure I read on her kind face melted my heart.

Friends?  Amazing.  I am unsure what my life would be like without them.  Back in Casa Grande, I can count many ladies who are so very special and I am very thankful.  Here in Spain, I never imagined the welcome I have received and it makes me very emotional.

It has been a very quiet day today in Calahonda and I guess it's been a bit humbling and oh, so quiet.  It's good to rest after yesterday and the 10,000 steps I walked... so (tomorrow) Wednesday I will go to Estepona to visit my shoe shop.  Where are my flamenco shoes?  And on Thursday?  I am driving to Huelva toward Portugal to listen to Professor James Fernandez at the Universidad de Huelva to listen to his lecture about the immigration of Spaniards to Hawaii.

I am in my element and have to slap myself when I get homesick and miss my people back home...
For now, I'll pour a glass of wine (with my borrowed opener) and raise my glass in a toast to my friends in America and in Spain.  And I pray I never take any of you for granted or presume on your friendship.  It is a beautiful feeling to feel this special.