Forever Friendships

Newton, Kansas

In 1943 when Judy and I were three years old, our parents became best friends.  Every time they got together, so did we.  She quickly became my best friend.  She was tiny and cute and everyone loved her as much as I did. (No one was surprised when she was voted 1957 Homecoming Queen at Newton High School.) She's still tiny and cute, and everyone still loves her. 

Judy Nordstrom Johnson

Jannie and Ruthie were my elementary school friends. We were Girl Scouts together and went to all the same birthday parties, spent the night at each other's houses, etc.  It was always fun when Jannie and Ruthie were around.  It still is.

Jannie Decker Eichler and Ruthie Nichol Weatherall

I didn't know Bev until junior high, but Ruthie and Judy did because the three of them went to the Methodist church.  Jannie and I went to the Christian church.  Bev was the musical one--she had perfect pitch, a gorgeous voice and played both the piano and violin.  What talent!  

Bev Okerberg Jackson

In junior high the five of us--plus two others (Nancy Hertzler Powell and Phyllis Blosser Roche) who have since died--became close friends.  For life.  After college and marriage, we started a Round Robin letter that traveled thousands of miles back and forth across the United States for fifty years. Through those letters we shared our joys, sorrows, births, deaths, divorces, successes, and frustrations. We offered each other understanding, concern, support, and love.  Even though we were scattered all over the United States, we always tried to make it back to our high school reunions in Newton, Kansas.  

The year we turned 50, Nancy Hertzler Powell decided it was time to start our own Round Robin reunions.  Every few years someone would plan a reunion.  In the past 24 years we've been to B&B's in Annapolis, MD and Whidbey Island, WA; to a cottage in Galveston; on a yacht in Florida; at my home in Texas; in a condo in Sun Valley, ID; and at Jannie's in Las Vegas.

Jannie, Nancy, Ruthie, Phyl, Judy, Bev, me

This is the last time we were all together--Florida in 1999 on Nancy Hertzler Powell's yacht.  

The most recent union for the five of us was last week. We went to Oregon.  

Nancy, Judy, Ruthie, Bev, Jannie

We spent two days in Cannon Beach and two in Portland, and once again, it was magical.  We walked and talked and shopped and ate and giggled.  We also played with our phones, learning from each other, discovering new things every day.  

 Haystack Rock from our hotel room

 Another view from our hotel room

Enjoying the ocean view

A morning walk on the beach.

 We'd all recommend this place for breakfast!

 Crab eggs Benedict

Pecan pancakes

Cannon Beach is a cute town.....

 Art....

 Cute shops and gorgeous flowers.....

 Yeah, I wanted that coral jacket and lime green boots....

 Definitely a good life when we are all together....

 Gorgeous flowers everywhere...

 Flowers and friends....

Taking a break....

Happy women, precious friends.  

Goodbye, Cannon Beach.  Hello, Portland!

 Portland is a beautiful city.  Fountains and trees.

Art.

 Belgium chocolates.

 Bead store.

 We had a fabulous dinner at Jake's.

 Great food at Jake's!

 Wonderful old building.

 We are all readers, so we loved this incredible bookstore.  It covers a city block, three floors. 

 Each section is color coded.

Who wouldn't want to explore what's up there?

A bite to eat.... 

 ...and then more of Portland....

 ...I had deer like this in Texas...

 Of course, the mall...

 ...for shopping...

...we made Judy buy these earrings to go with her outfit. 

Naturally, we always get the giggles!   

 Ruthie bought some hilarious cards at the book store.

 They got funnier......

 and we got more tickled...

 laughing so hard it hurts...

 what fun!

We rarely take ourselves too seriously!

We took some time to soak up the beauty of Oregon.

And joyfully ended another remarkable reunion. 

Each of these precious friends has enriched my life.  As a child and a teen, I didn't experience the angst so often present in girls' friendships.  We didn't argue or compete or gossip or criticize.  I always felt secure and accepted.  As my friends have grown and aged, they've met life's challenges with courage and wisdom.  I respect and adore my fabulous forever friends.  They are beautiful, pure souls who have continually blessed me with their love.  What a gift!