Monday, November 7, 2011

Catching Up

Brian worked the NASCAR race this past weekend, and rather than spend the weekend by myself at home, I made plans to meet up with a dear friend in New Braunfels. 

Susan and I go back to our college days when my brother introduced us.  We lived together for several years, until I got too cranky to be a good roommate. I take responsibility for our "break up."  I was immature and difficult to get along with.  I had a lot of growing up to do. 

Fortunately, like all my dearest friends, she eventually found it in her heart to forgive my many...uh, quirks... and reconnect. 

That's what Saturday was all about.  We met in New Braunfels and headed into Gruene for the day.  We have a special affinity for Gruene, having seen Pat Green at Gruene Hall on St. Patrick's Day about 11 or so years ago.  Great times.  She still has the tee shirt.  I often wonder what happened to mine.  Sigh.

Lunch at the Grist Mill...their homemade wine coolers are delish.  Then a bit of shopping.  Finally, just sitting under a big ol' tree, sipping wine and watching the world go by.  It was the weekend of the Tour De Gruene, a bike race, so the tiny town was brimming over with cyclists.  Parking was quite the adventure.  The people watching was even better than usual though.  We found a new favorite wine from Dripping Springs to add to our list at the little wine store. 

We talked about her new relationship since her divorce.  We talked about getting older and weight gain and the disturbing little aches and pains we experience now when we get out of bed each morning.  We talked about our illnesses and recent procedures.  We reveled in being fellow liberals.  We filled in all the gaps since we had last been close.

It was a truly great day.  After a short siesta, we went to dinner at McAdoo's (where they had my favorite wine New Age) and then had pumpkin bread pudding with brandy sauce at a bakery called Two Tarts with the best cup of coffee I have had in...maybe my whole life. 

On my way home, I pondered the rekindled friendship and how worth the 3 hour drive it was.  I pondered how lucky I am to have my friend back when she might have stayed lost to me. 

In a month when we consider carefully for what we are thankful, I can say without hesitation that Susan is high on my list.  Friends who have known you through the good, bad, and ugly are too precious a gift to waste.  I am so grateful that my friend has returned to my life.  We don't often get do overs and I don't intend to waste my opportunity.

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