I feel very fortunate to have daughter’s who are willing to keep me engaged in their very busy lives. As I think about them growing up, we got to meet and know their many friends. Last week it was girls week end in McCall for Katie and a few of her high school buddies. I got an invitation to ski with them, me picking them up at the spa and providing chauffeur/chaperone service may have had some influence. It was a bluebird day at Brundage and we skied on excellent groomers until it was determined that a beer and food were in order. It is March but warm enough to sit on the deck and enjoy the sun. The conversation was enthusiastic on all subjects as they planned their upcoming evening, compared notes on their kids, a few references to spouses, and most uncomfortable for me the massage conversation. Apparently not all professionals are as careful with covering up their client and there are some who are apparently anatomical experts. Katie got everyone laughing over her masseuse explaining that he felt she had a problem with her “so as” of maybe “sore ass”. Turns out, thanks to Google, that what he likely meant was psoas, which is a deep seated core muscle connecting the lumbar vertebrae to the femur. The psoas major is the biggest and strongest player in a group of muscles called hip flexors. The take away from a most enjoyable few hours was the bond created by friendship. These women are all unique and do not see each other often but their loyalty to each other was evident. The first song that came to my mind is Friendship, a 1940 hit sung by Judy Garland and Johnny Mercer and written by Cole Porter. This silly ditty includes such declarations as …if you’re ever in a jam, here I am, if you are ever in a mess, S.O.S, …if you are ever down a well, ring my bell …if they ever black your eyes, put me wise…if they put a bullet on your brain—we
’ll complain. The refrain, friendship, friendship, just a perfect blend ship and to complete the thought a man’s best friend is his friend. There is a lot of evidence that friends are critical to our mental well being, someone to talk to who truly listens, understands and offers honest feedback while being non judgmental. Ally Condie observed “Growing apart doesn’t change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side. Our roots will always be tangled. I’m glad for that.” The week end crew, I feel confident would endorse this saying, “Life is too short to be serious all the time. So, if you can’t laugh at yourself, call me…I’ll laugh at you.” All of this gave me reason to consider my good friends and make sure I reconnect with those who would laugh at me or with me as appropriate.
Enjoy your week end. Mike