Today I’m celebrating my friend Denae’s birthday. We’ve known each other for about 50 years. I grew up in Climax, Minnesota, a small farming community in The Red River Valley. Population 310. Denae lived across the river on a farm in North Dakota.
There were 28 kids in our class. (We were the big class.) Everyone knew everyone. It was the best of small town living, and had its moments of the worst of small town living.
One of the best gifts I’ve ever received came from Denae. She knit me a purple scarf during a road trip with her family. They must have traveled across the U.S. three times, because the scarf was about 17 feet long. I could wear it as a turban, a neck scarf, and an attractive body wrap that reached to my ankles. It was beautiful.
As I’m learning to live more intentionally, I am learning to take time to remember the people—and presents—that helped shape me into the woman I am today.
Denae was an important influence in my life and remains a very dear friend.
I’m so glad she was born. I’m grateful for her friendship.
What would I do if I were ten times bolder (my theme for 2010)? I will take the time to tell my friends that my life is better because they are in it.
