Dear Companions on the Path

Make new friends
but keep the old
one is silver
and the other gold.
~Traditional Girl Scout Song~

I remember singing those lyrics when I was an elementary school student at Waldorf school. It’s true, too. Our treasured friends, old and new alike, are such a gift. It’s also a very apropos song for my recent birthday party, which blended some very dear friends I have known for most of my life, with more recently acquired gems. How Lovely and Blessed, I thought to myself on Sunday, as I sat in the living room, admiring those in attendance.

For the week leading up to this year’s birthday, I had been thinking about my fifth birthday and the two cakes I had that year. As I looked around the party this weekend, I realized that a few people had been in attendance at that fifth birthday. “Do you remember the two birthday cakes at my fifth birthday?” I asked them, not actually expecting them to recall the desserts, but enjoying the possibility, “One was purple, with blackberries around its edges; the other had candy corns adorning it!” I looked around the room and pointed to a few of my oldest friends, “You were there,” I delighted, “And, so were you!” I told another, huge smile upon my face. I mean really, Dear Readers, how special is that? Very, very, indeed. Others in the room were pretty Amazed by this, as well, for honouring our old friendships is a special pleasure, which most can appreciate. I am so lucky that they are still in my life, and that they were once again able to share in the celebration of another journey ‘round the Sun for me in this lifetime. It means a lot to me.

I also had such fun spending time with some of the newer friends in my life, as I have not been in this location for long, and meeting new people is always such a Gorgeous process. Sharing in commonalities, I giggled my way through an outrageous conversation with a relatively new friendship. We were clearly comfortable with each other, and had a really good time playfully joking together. I was so Grateful for her, and the exchange we had. Then, I enjoyed some time spent in a more spiritual conversation, with another Beautiful new friend with whom I also have a great deal in common, but a very different kind of mutual admiration. Awesome!

I tend to agree that when we connect with people, it’s for a reason, season or lifetime, and it is always so interesting to me to watch how different connections play out. I am very Grateful for the deeply respectful relationships in my life, and the Blessings each connection brings in its own way. Good times along the road of life, where different faces can come and go; one is silver and the other gold. All a Wonderful gift. Thank you, Dear Ones, for sharing with me this circle of life. You are so appreciated!

Me (left) with one of my oldest friends, Amber

Love and Blessings,
Antonia