Be My Friend

Today while contemplating an autumnal bouquet or potted poinsettia in the flower aisle of Trader Joe's I heard someone say my name. It was the warm voice of a friend I don't get to see nearly enough of. We hugged and chatted as we made our way past the bags of lettuce and stacks of bananas. Just before we got to the dairy case we parted ways, off to each go on about our day but I felt lighter, warmer and happier for having run into her.

Tonight, on Thanksgiving eve I'm thinking that of all the things I'm thankful for. The list is endless it seems but the people in my life are the what I am thankful for the most. Of course, my husband and daughter, my in-laws, who I've already declared my love for, my brothers-in-law and their wives, my Dad, my Aunt and my cousin Cori. Then we move on to my chosen part of my family, my friends.

I've always said that I was lucky - I have the fortune of knowing some of the most incredible people on the planet. How this has happened, I haven't any clue. I mean, look at toddler friendships. Ada just sees another kid and runs over to them and yells in their face, they yell back and the volley of some secret screaming conversation has begun. One runs circles around the other and Voila! She's made a new friend. As I get older, I realize it's not so easy for most adults. At least not for me - I'm a bit shy with new people. So I'm astonished that I've been able to find these amazing people and then form friendships with them again and again. When we move to New York, I'll start all over and eventually I'll find a group of women who I connect with.

For today though I'm thankful for my friend I ran into at the grocery store. I'm thankful for the friend I'll hug tomorrow before we eat turkey. I'm thankful for the friends I went to Las Vegas with last weekend and the ones who watched Ada on the spur of the moment so I could go to an appointment. I'm thankful for old friends like the one who came to me during the darkest time of my life. I'm thankful for my Cuban Maria, my Greek Maria, my little French girl, my Puerto Rican hottie, my Portland resident and the friend who always has the perfect advice. These are some among many friends. They are some of my favorite people and even time zones and children and jobs haven't managed to separate us even if we don't talk every day like we used to. I still love them and find that we pick up where we left off as if no time had passed at all. I love these beautiful women and I am thankful we are a part of each others lives.

********

Meanwhile, today is Tim's birthday. Poor guy left the house this morning and that was 15 hours ago. Let the holiday weekend of call begin. Ada and I baked him a pound cake (silly, since angel food is his favorite. Sorry, love, I get the the two confused). I should rephrase that: I baked a cake. Ada was very busy doing such helpful things as re-arranging the flameless candles and eating butter.



Or riding around in a laundry basket.



Still, I made a damn good cake.



Really, it's damn good. Oh look! And somehow when it came out of the oven there were tickets to see Fela!, which Tim will be over-the-moon thrilled about. A nice birthday surprise even if call did make a wreck out of the whole day. This makes 2 years in a row I've had to improvise. I must say that my comfort level is growing.