Wrinkles
Two weeks ago, the Wrinkles column talked about friends. Following are some of the responses.
n My friend and I used to talk about how she and I could be with each other all day and if we didn't feel like talking, we didn't, and we both knew that it wasn't because either of us was angry with the other. It was just being ourselves.
n I thought there were my friends, these two girls. It was the beginning of our high school years and for some reason, I was always elected to be the class secretary. This entailed taking up lunch money every morning in the home room and taking it to the office. One morning, while standing before the class collecting lunch money, a girl I hardly knew came up to me and I smiled at her ... but she drew back her hand and slapped me across the cheek with full force. I was stunned, hurt and embarrassed, not knowing the reason. The teacher did nothing. When I went to the office to turn in the lunch money, the dean of girls saw the red cheek and asked me what happened. Still stunned, I told her my story. She immediately wrote a note for me to take to the teacher. When I got back to the class and handed the note to the teacher, she told the girl to see the dean of women immediately. I did not know what was in the note. I later learned that when the dean asked the reason for her actions, she related to her that two girls whom I thought were my friends, had told her that I said she was ugly. I really had never thought of her one way or another. She was expelled, never to return to school. My freshman year was scarred by the incident. I was hurt by the embarrassment, but hurt more by the betrayal of what I thought were two friends. The open trust I had for friends changed to suspicion. Even though these two apologized for their actions, I avoided them throughout my high school years. One incident can change a person's entire life.
n I have a friendship that has lasted for 40 years. We like to shop together but our talents are completely different. She is good in the home making department, I am not. But somehow, we have found a common goal in our friendship. We don't agree on everything, but compromise, discuss and move on. I think the basis of our friendship is trust.
n There have been many different types of friendships in my life. Some have come and gone, some have remained and I treasure them. Some have betrayed me, left their scars on my soul and I have had to fight to keep the hate thoughts away.
n Why is it that women have to gossip? You think you have a friend ... then you hear from others the hurtful things they have said behind your back. Does this build their ego, help them in some way?
n Lives have been ruined by so called friends. They gain your confidence, flatter you, con you, until you think they would never betray you. And then that evil tongue starts wagging and another life is ruined.
n What is a true friend? One that is there whenever you are hurt or troubled ... one that cries when you are hurt, and laughs with you when there is a happy event in your life. Count the ones you have and realize you are blessed.
n Women are not the only friends who will betray you. Men can be cruel in so many other ways. Sneaking around is not just in the feminine gender.
(Thanks all who have contributed their experiences. If your response was not published today, we will do so later)
Last week brought many wrinkles, sad and glad.
Sunday was a day of sorrow as we said our goodbyes to Larry "Chip" Lewis Jr. We will have more on his story in later columns.
It was a glad time when Kitty Keller gave her annual Christmas luncheon for her circle of ladies from Fairview Presbyterian Church. We feel fortunate to be included with this fantastic group of ladies and also to once again enjoy the hospitality and home of Rick and Betsy Thurmond Keller. The old home on Edgefield Road is a fascinating place and the decorations by Betsy are breathtaking. It's a place that you feel welcome and "at home" at once. I've mentioned her dog previously and have asked her to write about it and will send it along to you. This year, Betsy talked to us about the background of the home and how her mother viewed the home when she first arrived as a bride. The most interesting thing to me was about the ghosts. I hope that she will write the story, as only she can relate it, for our readers.
On Wednesday, the Grace Women of the Church luncheon was held in the Wesley Center with guest speaker Ginny Montgomery from Channel 6. It's the first time I have heard Ginny speak and was very impressed. She related the seven steps in her life and it was a fascinating story.
Saturday night our Sunday School Christmas party was held at the home of E.J. and Shirley Holgate. Walking into their lovely home, one of the first things to feast our eyes on was a huge Christmas tree that was breathtakingly beautiful with the many lights and ornaments they had collected over the years.
Throughout the home were Nativity Settings the Holgates had collected over the years, from the smallest to the largest I had ever seen. After feasting our eyes on the decorations, we were invited to feast on food.... and what a feast! Delicacies too numerous to mention, all done by Shirley (what talent!) but my very favorite for the sweet tooth was the chocolate fountain and cherries. It was a relaxing, fun evening from two great hosts.
In closing, I would like to thank all who have extended so many great comments about my granddaughter's article "Ashley's Story".
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." Nikka, age 6
email mradacj@aol.com