I’m growing old. Not claiming old yet, but getting there. Let’s just put it out there, I’m 33. I think? 34? …32? …33? Yeah, I’m 33.
I’m picturing the reactions. “Yep. You are old. Really old.”
And at the same time, “No. No. Sweetie, you are still just a baby.”
I like the second reaction better.
There are many negatives about growing old. One is sitting on the swing with your students, pumping your legs back and forth, and soaring through the sky…just to discover that now that just makes you want to throw up.
Another is jumping on the trampoline with your daughter just to discover…well, all the moms know what I am talking about.
But one of the many, yes many, blessings to growing old is having old friends. Danielle and I first met fifteen years ago in college. Memories of dancing the nights away at the Fall Ball, late night runs to Sonic when we were supposed to be studying, summer beach trips …the memories that I have with Danielle are many. From the beginning, she is always someone that I had lots of fun with and, more importantly, someone that encouraged me in my faith.
But, when I think of Danielle, one thing stands out: funny stories always follow Danielle. Some of the craziest, most absurd happenings occur when she is around. Times when you think funny can’t happen, if she is around, just wait for it.
Yeah, example needed. Here is our setting. 2004. I just discovered that I had two tennis ball size tumors in my adrenal glands. Being a newly wed, my faithful new husband is by my side as we embark on this Cancer Journey together. (Oh, you are not laughing yet?)
We have traveled 14 hours from the heart of Florida to Duke University for my first surgery at Duke. I have been fasting for 48 hours (misery), I have been scrubbed down, I have on a surgery gown, I have said my goodbyes and kissed my husband, and I am about to be administered my first dose of anesthesia. (Oh wait!)
The nurse tells me that my pastor is here. Oh, not my pastor, my friend’s pastor. Since Danielle is here with her pastor, they allow her and him to come see me and say a prayer. Danielle and I hug. A new nurse walks in. Demands goodbyes and prepares to take me away for surgery. (Not laughing? Oh…just wait.)
The nurse turns to me, “Sweetheart, Did you take off your panties?”
“No.”
She takes them and says she will give them to my husband.
Surgery…
Recovery…
All better.
Danielle and her husband come to visit James and I. And now:
Danielle tells me that, as I am wheeled into surgery, the nurse comes running after her and her pastor, “Stop! Wait!” She turns to him, “Sir, let me give you these.” And proceeds to hand THE PASTOR, that I JUST MET FOR THE FIRST TIME, my panties!!! Please! I never want to see the guy…ever again!
So, even surgery, with Danielle, can be a humorous event!
We don’t get to see each other that often. But God has it that she lives close to where we travel to visit my doctor. And fifteen years ago, when we were laying in her dorm room daydreaming about the future, we never would have guessed that we would be bridesmaids in each other’s weddings. We never would have guessed that we would have pictures of Madison and Bennett together when they were just babies. We never would have guessed that year after year that group would grow to include Madison surrounded by three friends, adding Eden and Mercy. We never would have guessed that our daughters could say they’ve been friends their entire lives. And I never would have guessed I would owe so much to Danielle and her family.
Friends that open their door to you at any time. Friends that after a year or two of seeing them, and we hang out, and never miss a beat. Old friends that will be friends …until we are friends that are also old. Friends that challenge me to be what a friend really is.
You ARE a baby lol…but I could still jump on a trampoline if had to!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!!! …and I’m jealous
LikeLike
Reblogged this on katiescottagebooks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the reblog! πππ
LikeLike
I love this story. Thank-you so much for sharing it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have a great Thursday! The weekend is almost here π
LikeLike
I love this story! Its very inspiring and makes me think of my own friends.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Great, glad it does π have a wonderful Thursday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your welcome and I hope you have a wonderful Thursday as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Btw…I really find your Blog very uplifting and inspiring. Thank you for it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so very much for that encouragement!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely post! I think friends make us and I am thankful for every one, young or ‘old’! π Happy Thursday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Vicky! ππππ
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to agree, that if I had to choose one word to describe how your blogs makes your readers feel I’d choose UPLIFTING. And your style of writing seems effortless; great job, keep up the inspiring work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can not tell you how thankful I am for the kind words! Makes me want to write some more π so very thankful for my blogging friends!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have this mental image of a horrified pastor wondering if this is some Florida tradition with which he is unfamiliar.
“Oh, yes. I Florida we call them ‘prayer panties’. Whenever we need extra prayers we give our undies to a Holy man.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of gracious! To think what he thought of me! Oh that poor man!
LikeLike
Oh… and yes. You are a baby.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is always great to hear that! When I am feeling old, I will pull up this post and reread this comment π
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a feeling that if you keep the great attitude you have, you will never feel old, Caroline. You will always feel like a youthful energetic woman.
LikeLiked by 2 people
As for trampolines, I’ll just say this. My son and I made a short, funny clip of me dancing shirtless which he ayed in slow motion. It is, simultaneously hilarious and horrifying. You couldn’t pay .even enough to get on a trampoline. And I am a dude!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hilarious!!! …those days are over
LikeLike
I laughed out loud literally!
I like this quote “a friend is somone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back when you’ve forgotten the words.”
Thanks for the great story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great quote! Love it!!! β€οΈ
LikeLiked by 1 person
So thankful for the last 15 years (FIFTEEN?! We can’t be old enough for that!) sharing life with you! We love you guys so much π
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are too funny! I would be absolutely devastated if that happened….. lol π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! One of those moments that can only be survived because “it will be funny later”
LikeLiked by 2 people
So true! (Even though I still wouldn’t be able to bear it)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hehe, The Pastor!
LikeLiked by 2 people
π nah… beautiful, aging ain’t so bad… not at all!
You are jumping on the trampoline of life, and will continue doing so! xox
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! I need to remember that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You will see… Vintage Lady’s honor! Cross my heart and… π
Be well darling and God bless you and yours always!
LikeLiked by 1 person
πππ
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very funny and sweet story, much enjoyed. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
πππ
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m going to be 50 this year and I can say, YOU ARE SO YOUNG! Love your heart! PS I only remember how old I’m going to be because it’s a special number. After this year, I’ll go back to not really being sure anymore.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh! It’s great to be told I’m young! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just turned 33 last month so I know how you feel!
LikeLike
We are in this together π we got this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, you are just a pup, at 33 I was in combat in The Gulf War. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hang out with my sister that is in college and crazy how I feel like we are the same age!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Iave grandsons to climb on Mr just wish I could be on the floor with them, my son’s job now. I could still get on the floor up to 52, the stroke ended that. takes two strong Apple to get me up now, best not to go there! I still stickmytongue out at my 22 year old, and find ways to tease her!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know they are so very thankful for you!!! Yes, time changes us. Some good. Some bad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
ILove waiting their faces light up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing the laugh, and I sure hope you are enjoying good health these days!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I am π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the good laugh, Caroline. VERY funny and very sweet too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
πππ
LikeLike
What a beautiful story…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now, that’s a BFF!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes π
LikeLike
“Old friends that will be friends β¦until we are friends that are also old.” I love this line … can I post it on my FaceBook page??
LikeLiked by 1 person
Please do! Thank you! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted! Along with a link to this blog post on my FB page dosedependent. Hope it brings more readers your way.
Blessings!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you friend! ….the weekend is here!!! yay!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is!! Amen to that … sadly, i must still go to work today! Lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
no! i hope you have the next two days off…and hope today is a great day for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Caroline, Friday was good. And tonight we gave dinner guests (Mexican theme!!), so the weekend should be great too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would have loved to see the face on the pastor when he was handed the panties. OMG. I’m glad you’re feeling better and thank you for sharing a snippet of your life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Gracious! That girl is FORWARD!”
LikeLike
“Lonesome Dove” is a favorite mini-series for this very topic; the perspective of time and events past. It ends with a reporter trying to get a response from Woodrow Call about his adventure., saying, “They say you’re a man of vision!” As he remembers, we see a montage of the joys and deaths that he’s lived through, highlights of all that has happened. Who would have thought at the outset? May God grant that we can all look back and say, “Yep. Hell of a vision!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t believe you mention that mini-series…it’s a favorite of my husbands! definitely a man’s movie, although i admit to watching it with him a few times and yes, that is how i want to look back on my life π
LikeLike
Beware not all friends turn out to be true and supportive if your problem scares them too much. Friends of 25 plus years turned their backs on me when my husband divorced me for a younge woman. Count yourself blessed if they stand by you during your trials.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sorry and so hard to have that happen! It is true, that real friends can be discovered in hard times
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely post, and very funny. Makes me wish I hadn’t lost touch with so many people.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe you can reconnect π
LikeLiked by 1 person