Real friends put me at ease, especially when the conversation is good. Last night, we had the best time at dinner, talking about family, kids, business, and the busy holidays. It's nice when we get together just to be together. There are always some new ideas spurning and churning during a good discussion. Time slipped away quickly, we ate dinner, then were off to a concert.
It was a wonderful Christmas concert, with a baroque style of music and singing. We sat up high in the balcony and could see straight down to the altar of the church. The choir walked in and sang the first carol with the audience. When they got to the final piece, it had a perfect ending, with trumpets blaring and the voices belting out the last note! It was so beautiful, and the songs they sang set us all in the Christmas spirit. Even the kids were mesmerized. It was amazing and we were all so proud to see one of our friends on stage. She was eloquent, as always, and graciously accepted our compliments in the lobby afterwards. Until last year, not many of her friends knew she could sing, much less in an award winning choir like this one. We were in awe last night, and this feeling is sure to stay with us for awhile.
Different desires take us in different directions. Life has more meaning when we can take a passion to the ultimate level, have accomplishments along the way, and share them with our friends. At times, it's difficult to share with our friends, even our close ones. There is not a person that knows everything about you. There are sometimes secret dreams and goals that go beyond the friendship. Unless we are willing to open ourselves up, or find the time to be together, a lot of life seems to slip through the cracks.
At dinner, we learned so much more about the people at the table, though we've known them for all for quite awhile. The conversation even had the attention of the four children at the table. It's as if the time was used wisely last night, asking the questions that none of us ever thought to ask when we first met. The talking led to smiles, then to laughter. Promises were made to clear the schedule more often.
My promise to myself is to make sure this happens. It seems life is getting shorter and I want to be sure these fine people are a part of my life. This is the enrichment I long for in friendships - what we had last night. There needs to be time to sit with the people you love and talk and share life. There needs to be this kind of conversation, instead of assuming you know them. If my life is changing, theirs must be changing too, as we found out yesterday. We learned a lot about each other.
What did I learn? I have to find out more on Vic Firth and his amazing pepper grinders. I promised to make extra homemade cannolis this Christmas, for one of our friend's father. I shared my favorite bakery location. There was going to be a Christmas get together for a certain group of people, but time got too short for the planner. She and I may do it in January or February. High school, for the two young girls there, is the same as it was when I was in high school, except you don't tell them this One looks exactly like her mother, but you don't let onto that either. We know of a newer Italian restaurant who makes incredible risotto. We think our friend wears a "lucky" necklace every time she performs, but haven't asked her yet. ; )
Now, finally, I'm in the Christmas spirit. Though I still hate my new tree with all the new ornaments, and am not looking forward to the crowds, I think I'll venture out tomorrow at lunchtime to do a little shopping. I guess I've put it off for too long.
Gaudete, Gaudete! Christus et natus!
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