Happy Holidays...

​Faith is not a vision; it is a connection.
Hope is not only a feeling; it is a commitment.
Trust is not a submission; it is a certainty.
Gratitude is not placating; it is an obligation.
Miracles are not scarce; they are abound.
Prayers are not petitions; they are comfort.
Love is not stationary; it is fluid.
Friendship is not selfish; it is a connection, commitment, certainty, obligation, abound, comfort and fluid.

In our book, Living Brave, Women, Stories and Pathways to Thriving, Mary Beth and I interviewed, Nan McBride with the key question, ‘What safety nets have you relied on over the years, and how have they served you?’ At eighty-six, Nan owns and manages Norali, a successful home management company based in Scottsdale. 

She wrote; "Growing up in Middle America in a comfortable home with caring parents, safe neighborhoods, excellent education opportunities, and a sense of belonging was a blessing many people never have. And there was a bonus. Friendship that began in first grade became the basis for friendships that exist today. To still have those same twenty friends years later is indeed remarkable. In 1999, one of our class mates decided we needed to see each other on a regular basis to continue to nurture our connection to one another. This became the foundation for a yearly gathering to catch up with one another and to replay our childhood memories…. When I think of growing up in such an exceptional environment, I realize how fortunate we were. Our high school was rated third in the nation academically. Ninety-seven percent of our graduating class went to college. Our class mates became doctors, physicist, authors, inventors, nurses, lawyers, bankers, investment counselors and artists. Those days were ideal in many ways, but we learned over the years that things aren’t always as they seem. The friend we envied because she was so beautiful, smart and popular faced more tragedy in her life than any of us could have handled. The captain of the swim team never told anyone his mother was an alcoholic; another girl accidentally killed a small child when he ran out in front of her car chasing a ball. Even as young people growing up, we knew our world was not perfect. We lived with the threat of an atomic bomb attack and our parents had concerns about foreign nations impact on our economy. Through it all, we held on to each other for comfort, reassurance, encouragement and, as it turned out, friendships that have lasted a lifetime."
 
In October, Nan hosted this year’s gathering for a group of 10 in Scottsdale who were able to get together. Only Nan lives in Arizona, the others live across the country. The women, and one man, Don, (smart man to join the group) met to reconnect and enjoy each other’s company as they have for many years. They are now in their mid-eighties, 84-87 and have been meeting yearly since 1999.  I asked Nan if I could host an evening gathering in my home to meet the group. 

The gathering was a highlight of the year for me. The group filled me with an appreciation for meaningful connections and left me grateful to be included in this obviously unique collection of friends. A memory I will cherish forever. I have added a photo of the group below as they visited the MIM on one of their many outings.

​As we celebrate the holidays, let us remember the qualities and benefits of true friendships; connection, commitment, certainty, obligation, abundance, comfort, and a fluid safety net for a time when we will need to be held. As Nan reminds us in her writing, no life is perfect, but we can be there to hold each other through our friendships. 

May the holidays fill your life with Faith, Hope Trust, Gratitude, Miracles, Prayers, Love and Friendships. 

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from all of us at Pluma.

With love,
Hilda