Today, I’m to reflect upon what I think about my friends. Mostly, I think about how fortunate I am to have them. Most of them live miles away from me — a result of living a largely mobile lifestyle not always attributable to the military.

I was born and lived in Iowa through junior high. I am still in contact with a few people from there. As mentioned in an earlier post, Denise is my friend of longest duration. Facebook has allowed me to resume contact with several others.

I graduated from high school in Ohio. I’m still in contact with a few people from there. I got back in touch with Holly in the late 90s. Facebook has reconnected me with many more — I’m happy to see our class is active on Facebook, and they have grown into good people I am proud to know.

I attended Ohio State for one year and made some good friends there, but, sadly, I’ve lost touch with them — Carol, Polly, and a few others.

The Air Force sent me a lot of places, and I’ve remained in touch with a few people through the years. Some are active on Facebook, and I maintain contact with others via more traditional means. Hubby and I had dinner with Dane and Joyce just last week when our paths crossed in San Antonio. Mel mentioned she needed to arrange a business trip down there. I talked the other night with Angie. Then we have Jim, Ursula and Al, Dave, and many I’m not going to be able to list, because I’ll forget even more.

I’ve met still more people via the online community. I’ve been fortunate to meet many in person. And I’m happy to have a good group of people I met via Forward Motion and have extended my friendship outside the confines of that writing community. Tammy (and Bill), Stephen (and several of his friends), Wendy (and Eric), Valerie (and Jim), Bonnie (and Neil), Erin, Margaret (and Colin), and Lazette to name a few. I’ve met all them except Margaret and Colin, Erin, and Lazette in person. I will be meeting Valerie and Jim in May (much looking forward to that!). When I’m driving through Iowa next month, I’m meeting Tammy for lunch (but we’ve been fortunate enough to meet before — I love her and her family). I may be able to arrange one more meeting on my trip next month, but I’m not sure yet.

My best friend, of course, is my hubby, but he’s also family. I’ve always felt a spouse had to be a friend above all else, and that holds true.