Friends for Life

There’s something very special about having life-long friends. Sure, there’s times where you may not be in touch as much as you’d like but when you do get together again it’s as if you had seen each other yesterday. Do you know what I mean?

I am very fortunate that my core group of friends are from elementary school. We have known each other over 50 years! We fondly refer to ourselves as “The Kevinites,” as we all went to St. Kevin’s grammar school in Flushing, New York. We recently got together for a pre-Mother’s Day weekend celebration in Jamesport, New York (North Fork of Long Island) that was so ridiculously fun that I just have to share about it.

I drove to my sister-in-law’s house in Jamesport on the Thursday before Mother’s Day. Her house was the meeting point where the festivities would begin. People came at various times and we were all finally together by about 8pm. We had appetizers and then headed to a local American Legion Hall that had a band playing that night. Evidently, last year, (I was not in attendance), this group meandered into the very same American Legion Hall and found there was a 100^th birthday party celebration going on for a lovely, white-haired lady named Dottie. Even though everyone was tired from having worked all day, the Kevinites were intent on seeing if Dottie had made it to the 101 mark.

I am happy to report she did. When we arrived, everyone was eating ice cream cake and Dottie was sitting right at the bar having her slice! We had just missed hearing the band play happy birthday to her. What I found particularly funny was that, while all the Kevinites remembered Dottie from last year and were kissing her happy birthday, she had absolutely no idea who any of us were and had no recollection of us being in attendance last year. I guess what they say about your memory in your upper years is true. Dottie’s secret to life is, “Gin and tonics, but never more than two per day.” Amazing!

The next day we made a trip to Tanger Mall, imbibed at a few wineries, had an incredible dinner at Country Kitchen and ended the night singing Karaoke at Jerry and the Mermaid. Silliness and laughs abounded, and a good time was had by all. There’s just something about long-time friends. I left Jamesport as if a I was wrapped in a big warm blanket. I cannot wait until next year. Fingers crossed there’s another party for Dottie.