Thursday, February 8, 2007

My Friend Jackie.............

This picture was made at "A Time Remembered Tea Room"

Jackie and Betty


I once read if you have friends you are rich beyond words. I am rich beyond words because I am blessed with innumerable friends and many acquaintances.

I have one friend that has been a friend since first grade. Now, as I am 65 years old, she has been a friend for a long time. Her name is Jackie. Well, actually, that’s not her legal name. That’s a nickname given to her as a young child by her uncle. Probably not more that a handful of people know her name is Mary Leah.

I came across a newspaper clipping a few years ago in some of my mother’s stuff of children’s pictures made when I must have been about 4 or 5 years old. There right below my picture, was a picture, you guessed it of Jackie and her younger sister, Patsy. We were close even before we knew each other.

Growing up we sometimes were in the same classroom and some years we weren’t, but we still remained close friends. On one occasion we did have the same home room teacher. On a day when I was suppose to take a turn sweeping the classroom the teacher kept Jackie in to sweep. I guess I took her place when it was her time to sweep…..I don’t remember. I hope she reminded me. We entered into high school and began dating…many times we double-dated. We both dated boys from the same small community a few miles away. Both our boyfriends went to the same university.

Eventually we both received engagement rings. Edward and I married in June. She was my maid of honor. She and John married in November and I was her matron of honor. She wore my wedding dress.

We have had so many similarities in our lives. We each have 2 children..I have two daughters, she has two sons, our mothers-in-law each were blind in one eye, we both worked at pre-school, our fathers-in-law died within a few months of each other, we both have had breast biopsies, our mothers died of cancer, our fathers died of heart attacks, our oldest children married the same weekend (not to each other), we both worked at the same bank, our husbands were bankers, later both became ministers, we both play the piano, love flowers and fixing up our homes…….these are just to name a few.

Jackie’s husband died December 15th, 2000, the date of my oldest daughter’s wedding and he was buried on December 18th, my father’s birthday.

A year ago she married Jerry. The sweetest thing was seeing her three grandchildren walking her up the aisle. The oldest grandchild, a grandson gave her away. When the minister asked, “who giveth this woman in marriage,” Zachary replied, “on behalf of……………,and he named all the immediate family. They are extremely happy….traveling and enjoying the good life.

One difference……I have twin granddaughters and she doesn’t. It isn’t over yet…
I hope you have good friends, also. To have a friend, one must show himself (or herself) friendly.
Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.


Do you have a friend from childhood?

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh! That's such a sweet tribute to Jackie! I know she would love it, and I know she feels the same about you! As you know, Suzanne is my 'bestest friend', and even though we don't see each other that often...we KNOW that we'll always be there for each other...no matter what! I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if I needed her, she'd come immediately! It's good to have those true-blue kind of friendships!
Always your loving daughter (:o),
Amy

Mary L. Briggs said...

What a great friendship you two have! I love the picture. You two must have had a fun tea! I was just thinking of that song last night, Betty!

weirdbunny said...

True friendship, so wonderful.

Susie said...

What a lovely post! You and Jackie are so lucky to have each other all these years. I recently posted about the "Friends" song from my Brownie days! My best friend and I have many of the same connections as you and Jackie. Perhaps I'll do a post about that someday...
:)

TJ said...

Boy, you have enough simularities to be twinsies!!
I love the picture at the tea house...I've just lately desired to go to one!!
I have a friend since 3rd grade that I have a few things in common with...not as many as you and your friend but enough to make it interesting.
:-D

Susan P. said...

I so enjoyed really the wonderful story of your friendship. What a true blessing, indeed:)

Kelli said...

What a sweet picture of you and Jackie! I enjoyed reading about your special friendship!
Kelli

Carolanne said...

Friends are so special!! I don't have any friends since childhood but the friends I do have now I want to have with me always.
I really enjoyed reading this post. Thank you!

Lovella ♥ said...

I have a few friends that I've had since childhood and those are very special. It is a very rare gift that you have and how wonderful that you hold it so dear.

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I came over to see you from your visit to my blog.

I've spent a lovely time reading your blog. Anyone who loves tea stuff, loves her kids and grandkids, and makes Rachel Ray's fudge is my kind of lady!

Reflection Through The Seasons said...

Betty...
How wonderful to have a friend like Jackie, you are truly well blessed. Its amazing to read of the similarities you share and the parallels your lives have run.

I love the picture of the two of you together, I must say, you look like two very English ‘Ladies’ out for tea. Betty you hold your tea cup perfectly too, the little finger is poised to perfection.


I have no friends that go back as far as you and Jackie, however, my oldest friendship is one of about 46 years, both our husbands then were police offices, sadly neither of our marriages lasted, but C and I formed a strong friendship and although many miles separate us now, I think we are closer than ever before. We both have wonderful adoring husbands, we talk on the phone at least a couple of times a week and we make a point of visiting each other alternate years. We visited last year and its their turn to come to Wales this year. Marion

Barb said...

What a beautiful post, Betty. You and Jackie are so, so blessed to have each other. I'm absolutely amazed at the similar paths your lives have traveled.

I vividly remember friends from long ago in the first grade but can't imagine ever even seeing them again. I moved from Texas to Colorado when I was 18 and have not seen anyone I went to school with since.

This kind of friendship is a rare thing. It's wonderful that you treasure each other so, after all these years, and are always there for each other. Sigh....makes me a little misty eyed.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely friendship you both have and I will keep that quote about the silver and goold in mind :)

plastictupperwarequeen.typepad.com

Marci said...

What a wonderful post. I love to hear stories about long time friendships, but this one was wonderfully touching. Ya'll had lots in common... almost like twins separated at birth. I am so glad you still have each other.

I am enjoying your blog!!

theups said...

She sounds wonderful!! With all the similarities and all the time y'all have been friends, I think you can officially call her a sister, too!!

Thank you for sharing this blessed friendship!

His,
Mrs. U

Suzy said...

Childhood friends are the best aren't they?
Diann and I became friends in grade school and that's been almost 50 years ago.Soon after graduation, she moved to Arizona, but we always stayed in touch by letter and now internet.We became Grandmothers on the same day! Last year I flew out there to see her we had a wonderful together!
So glad to have come across your blog,I'll be back.