I may have written about my girls before, I'm not sure what to remember these days. So if I have, you'll just have to forgive me.
What brings this to mind again is my 60th birthday. 2 of my lifelong friends came to California from Texas so we could celebrate our 60th birthdays together. Mary's birthday was in October, Barbara in November, and me in December. Mary even brought a pendant for us each to wear to represent the occasion. There are stones for each month. I'll treasure it always.
It was a major surprise when Mary called and said she and Barbara were coming out here so we could celebrate together. Barbara got to see things she always wanted to see. We went to Hollywood and took a bus tour and saw the footprints in front of Grauman's. I took them to see the Citrus State Historic Park. They both went home with contraband oranges. Barbara saw the ocean, which she always wanted to see. We ate great seafood, unlike anything you can get in Texas.
We had a great time, and I bawled like a baby when they left.
Anyway, that was our celebration, but I set out to tell you about all four girls.
I met Barbara first, on the first day of first grade, about 1961. I walked into the room, unsure of where to sit, when there was this fabulous ear to ear grin, and she said, "Come sit by me." I've loved her ever since. I always felt loved by Barbara. She used to have parties on the weekend, with chip and dip, and a bowl of innocent fruit punch. Little did her mother know that there was a whole bottle of Southern Comfort in that punch bowl. We'd sing and dance with the 2 or 3 boys who came.
We also had a band when we were in junior high school. Guitars, drums, microphones, the whole bit. Sometimes we'd drag everything out into the front yard and play as the other kids were walking home from school. Maybe this is where my love of singing started. If it is, I'm grateful.
I met Yvonne when we were about 10 years old. 1965 or so. Her dad's aunt lived next door to us. We'd get to play when they would come to visit their Aunt Irene. I finally got to go to her house to play or spend the night. She didn't stay at my house much, but I don't know why. That was ok, cause I liked her parents, even though they were a little different. We'd go skating at the Holiday Roller Rink, where I learned to skate, and sprained my wrist. She also introduced me to country music. Delta Dawn, by Tanya Tucker. I was hooked. Her older sister was a little bossy and her younger sister was a pain, but I loved her anyway. Still do. She's been there for me when I needed her the most. She's the kind of person whom everyone loves the minute they meet her.
Becky , whom I met in about 1968 or so, probably had the strictest parents, so we didn't go out anywhere, and she didn't come to my house much, but I was welcome at her house. When we did go to my house, we'd stay in my room (which was all decorated in antiques if I remember right) and play a poetry game. She'd give me a subject and I had to write a few lines of poetry about it. Maybe that strengthened my love of writing. Becky also took me to church with her, where I was saved on December 23, 1985. She got me into the choir. I then spent a couple of years as chairman of the music committee and of the adult choir. My love of singing, from Barbara, was renewed and I loved singing solos and duets and in programs.
Then there's Mary, or Wadine as she was called in school. I met her in about '68 too...7th grade. By 1970 there was nothing like 2 fifteen year old girls hanging out. Her bedroom was so cool. Scarves on the lamp, a stereo playing the best rock, her own air conditioner, and a phone cord that would reach from the hall. We spent many nights calling the boys at gas stations who worked the graveyard shift.. She was dating a boy who had a Mach I Mustang and he turned it over to her to drive. We spent lunch hours from school going to the Jack in the Box, even though we were only sophomores. And trips to the mall and to Downtown, where we rode the private subway to Leonard Department store. AND....she taught me the magic that a push-up bra could do.
All four of these girls are still my dear friends, even though we've added a little gray hair and a few grandchildren. My memories of growing up with them, and my love for them, will never die.
I'd say I'm blessed X 4.
Me, Mary and Barbara at the top and Yvonne, Mary and Becky below.
