memories from cynthia

Ah those wild and wooly days of the 1950's, Sue at Bryn Mawr and Cyndie at Radcliffe. For some odd reason a football game comes to mind. Donald and I gathered some Harvard friends and headed to Bryn Mawr. Sue welcomed us and we frolicked in ways that seemed oh so smart then and now silly/strange. We had great fun. Sue and her date (who Sue? I don't remember where Eliot was) and the rest of the crew piled in the car to go to game at Princeton. While cozy on laps and singing our hearts out, we realized one of the blind dates was telling us about her eagerness to be in heaven. Wow! She was so serious while most of us had not spent much time thinking about heaven. We were focused on the game and parties and laughed till our tummies hurt in response to Sue's stories. She has that beautiful gift today.

In the blink of an eye we were brides and mothers. The awesome wonder of new life filled us with joy, thanksgiving and a huge sense of responsibility. For Sue and Eliot, twin daughters and Cyndie and Donald, a son. We soon had them playing in the tub together. One day we were all in Massachusetts and gathered at the Chace cottage, Long Pond. We shared our delight that we were parents to these amazing children and our dismay around sleepless nights, and what to do re............!! Five decades later, Sue and I live in Massachusetts and give thanks for gifts of our lives that brim with blessings and challenges. My friend who majored in English and now writes poetry, founded a recovery home for alcoholic women. She made such a difference in the lives of many women. Now she delights with her work at the Audubon Center, helps seniors in her neighborhood, knits and quilts for family , friends, and others with special needs. Her energy grows each year as she plays bridge, bowls, exercises, swims in her beloved "pond" and breathes deeply of the salt air at beaches from Horseneck to Duxbury. I have shared some of her jaunts, including to Maine, Quebec and Tennessee. The best was our train ride to San Francisco , staying in one of the Belden cabins and time with Nancy and other Leonard family. She gives tirelessly of herself, sees light in darkness and tells dandy stories, almost always funny and some sad. We have played together since we were 7 or 8. I fell in love with her family and give thanks each day for this precious friendship.

Submitted by Cynthia.