After more than thirty years, I and my high school girlfriends had a reunion. The feeling was overwhelming, in a very, very good way. What made our reunion more surreal was the presence of one of our high school Religion teachers who is now a priest in Long Island.
The last time we were together was at our high school graduation in Manila, Philippines. Our reunion took place two days ago in New Jersey, USA. At fifteen, which was my age the last time we met, I would never have imagined us meeting again and in this way.
We had a whole day of reminiscing, of catching up about our personal lives, and of updating ourselves with news about our common friends.
Life has certainly brought us in unexpected directions, not always pleasant nor easy to understand; but we are grateful to life, and to the wisdom that goes with it.
Certainly, life is more creative than our wildest imagination, so we are called to be like little children: to sing, to dance, to love every minute of this gift called life.
I admire and respect my girlfriends because they wear the bruises of life as scars earned in battles. They are growing in graciousness and kindness, recognizing that life is not a competition, but a journeying together.
We went apple-picking, then proceeded for a drive close to a lake and around town, basking in the glorious colors of autumn. And suddenly we were back at fifteen, when we were full of dreams of "when I grow up...", playing, taking photos, laughing and just havingfun.
As swiftly as it started, the glorious day came to an end, but it has surely filled our hearts with a true experience of the gift of friendship.
We will bring this precious gift wherever we are and to whatever direction life takes us. Life is not to be hurdled alone. I have friends who are with me always, cheering for me.
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of friends.
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