A Confederate Rose blossom opens white, turns pink, then red before dropping from the bush.
Strains of Hawaiian music filled the night air as five young men, dressed in authentic grass skirts and leis, gracefully slid onto a makeshift stage. For a brief moment, the audience was mesmerized by the synchronized movement of the all male corps. Then the crowd broke into laughter as the familiar quintet swayed together in a dance well choreographed by a music teacher who had lived in Hawaii when her husband was stationed there. He was one of the dancers; the other four were also members of a Sunday School class peopled with young married couples. Those five young men willing to suffer teasing for a long time set the memorable tone not only for the evening, but also for years to come.
Although rain that night forced the party committee to move all the tables, chairs, and island decorations from the borrowed backyard inside a large garage just before the party began, it was a great success. So were the hippy party where we sat on the floor of someone’s empty living room because the couple couldn’t afford to furnish it yet and the breakfast where we kept blowing fuses by trying to use so many waffle irons, electric skillets and percolators, all wedding presents, at the same time. Such good memories create unbreakable bonds.
That class at Tyler Street United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas, celebrated its 50th anniversary just two weeks before we left on a two-month trip to Texas the first of October. They gathered at a restaurant because no one these many years later wanted to put in the hard work of hosting one of those marvelous parties we all remembered. However because of those very special memories, we were so disappointed to miss it.
But as we made arrangements to see as many of these couples as possible, we learned that the entire class would be at a retreat outside the city the lone weekend that we would be in Dallas. Therefore, the music teacher/choreographer offered to host a covered dish dinner at her house later in the week. She invited the old crowd. In fact one of the couples had just celebrated their golden wedding anniversary by renewing their vows with their oldest son, now a minister, officiating. Even the former class teachers, also a young couple those many years ago, came.
If anyone had eavesdropped on that evening, they would have assumed from the talk that there had not been an interruption in conversation during the time. Of course, we had retained a long distance friendship over the years. Most have visited us in Georgia at least once; we’ve tried to see as many as possible on our visits to Texas and we faithfully have exchanged Christmas cards and letters every year. As we continued to traverse the state, we caught up with most of those who could not come that night and also with others with whom we had created friendships through different connections - school, work or play. All promised to come see us again and I have my calendar ready to pencil in those visits.
Prior to this trip, we spent Labor Day with three other couples with whom we had formed friendships when we all moved to Jesup in the early 60’s. Now only one of those couples still resides in town. Likewise, our conversation never lulled.
Many criticize Christmas letters, but catching up on one another’s news is a meaningful part of the season for me. Letters provide a concise way to learn what’s important to our dear friends. During December, I watch for the mail with the eagerness of a child.
I know that people, who have never moved from one city, one state to another, develop long lasting friendships as dear as these I cherish. These are the friends who sit with us in a hospital when a loved one is seriously ill, share the joys and frustrations in planning a daughter’s wedding, or just pick up the phone to say hello. I treasure many of these friendships, too. However, I hope that all of us who feel blessed by such amiable relationships take a brief moment at this holy season to tell one another how much we appreciate this strong bond built on shared experiences, lots of laughter, often good food, and a lively exchange of opinions.
So much happens in celebration of Christmas that we often overlook its call to worship. God has blessed us with great bounty in this country, but true friendships are one of His gifts that strengthen us daily. Like so many blessings, we too often take them for granted. An old camp song croons, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is the silver; the other, gold.” Amen.
2002
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