It seems just a couple of years ago that I was at school......

Today I had fun!
My stick and I went on an adventure. After 39 years, I met up with 2 of my school friends for lunch, and let me tell you, the chatter did not stop for a second. We had not seen each other since we left school all those years ago, aged 17 or 18. You would have thought we had met every week in those intervening years. So much to talk about. Life stories to listen to, and tell. Seven sons, one daughter, all grannies with 3 grandsons and 2 granddaughters between us.

Not too bad for 50mumble ladies, now, are we????? Mind you, I appear to be the only one with a certain degree of expansion to deal with. Sigh. Too bad.

I can't tell you how excited I was when I was sitting in Costa waiting for them to arrive. Our meeting place. Eyes darting everywhere, on the look out for familiar (from Facebook) faces. Yes, it was Facebook which got us all to be in the same place at the same time. And we are all so thankful it did. I gave up sitting up straight to create the impression of a streamlined me after 10 seconds. I sank into the puffy couch, and for a moment, looked to the ceiling to see if they had a winch attached to it. I had serious doubts as to whether I would ever emerge from the depths. You know how you end up with your knees higher than your chin? Right. An elegant look. With one's rear end 2 inches off the floor. Anyway, I relaxed, and it was just great.

We recognised each other immediately and there was much laughter and many hugs, and then we went to the place my friend (who works close by) had chosen for lunch, right at the river's edge. Beautiful. The sun was shining. I say this, because have another look at that top photo. Next to the river. That cloud?? Hahahaha. We had just finished lunch, and had taken loads of photos when the heavens opened, and you have NO IDEA how much rain fell. Sideways. On us. We grabbed our things, along with every other person out on the deck and got back under cover as fast as we could. Just as well the photos were taken earlier. I don't do running.

Coffee, more chatter, and then a reluctant parting of ways. D is off back to her home Down Under tomorrow, and N and I returned to our normal lives. But I have so much whirling about in my mind, you know. Just think - 3 women, 3 stories, shared history. How will our lives intertwine from here? Will they? How?

39 years. Amazing. One thing we all decided was that our school did not create wimps. We are all survivors. Strong women. It also taught us to value friendships, and we are very grateful for that.

I am still grinning.