Friends Are the Spice of Life

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.”  ~ C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves 

   Life is filled with miraculous, amazing, serendipitous happenings and the last 24 hours have been a lovely example. We've been visited by a friend from across the Atlantic ocean and another from Abingdon, England. One is an old, dear friend of mine who I haven't seen in sixteen years and the other is a new friend who follows our blog. Both brought sunshine, laughter and connection into our lives. 
  I met L. in 1995 when I started working for Spokane Public Radio. She was a budding radio reporter in one of her first jobs after grad school. We hit if off immediately. Eventually L. moved on to larger and more serious employment opportunities upon which she has built a very fine career. She is a news correspondent and anchor on a national level in America's capitol hence the use of her first initial only. She is here to enjoy vacation and I am not interested in outing my friend--only in sharing her with all of you who follow our blog. Suffice to say L. is brilliant--with a lightening quick intellect, a deeply sarcastic,incredibly well developed sense of humor. She is also deeply real--there is no pretense in L. at all; what you see is what you get. We are soul sisters and I am so pleased she was able to spend a day aboard NB Valerie with me and Les, who was delighted by her--and she by him.
   We had a great time and although we have not seen each other in sixteen years our conversation started up right where it left off all those years ago in my bijou apartment in Spokane, Washington. Girlfriend, you graced our home with your presence and we hope you will do it again--before another sixteen years passes!
   Today a knock on the door brought me the pleasure of meeting Alistair--one of our regular blog followers. I love his comments which are kindly, wise, thoughtful, and often filled with good humor that makes me laugh. 
   We were planning on meeting Alistair in Abingdon where he lives, however cancer cut our trip up the Thames short earlier this past summer. Never mind, it is something Les and I both look forward to in the future. 
   Alistair is a television camera operator who also built a career with a major

network--over here in England. Now he free lances and enjoys a fulfilling career with some travel throughout the country, different opportunities to work at his craft, and time to spend with his wife and two children.
   Sadly Les was away in Watford at a pre-op appointment for prostate surgery. He will be quite disappointed to have missed meeting Alistair whose smile lights up a room and whose unexpected thoughtfulness is touching.
Friends spice our lives with the flavor of love, kindness, laughter, and companionship. Les and I are blessed to live a life which is a rich, nourishing, brothy mix of amazing friends from everywhere. Thanks L. and Alistair, for blessing us this week. Hugs to you both.