​#3: Birthday Traditions and Great Friends

Dearest Reader,

Patti and I taught in neighboring classrooms for years. We shared ideas,  asked each other for advice, and loved being teachers.  Sometimes, after a particularly exhausting day, I would pop my head in her classroom, give her a look, and we would both burst into laughter. Often times we'd be the last ones at school, losing track of time in our continual pursuit of being good teachers.   Together we'd walk to the darkened parking lot, wave goodbye, and meet back the next morning, ready to do it all over again.

Our friendship was not confined to the elementary school campus.  Patti drove terrified me to UCLA for surgery. In solidarity,  she did not eat or drink anything before noon because I could not consume anything before the procedure.  She also filmed my Author Event at Laguna Beach Books, making funny faces and gestures so I would not be so nervous.

Now, we are retired teachers and don't see each other often. However, we both have "too close to Christmas" birthdays and every year get together to celebrate.  We share our adventures, cheerlead the other's successes, and send each other back into the world nourished and filled up.

Traditions and a caring, loving, supportive, great friend are definitely a Life Well-Lived.

Happy Birthday, Patti!
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Love,
M.J. 

Photo Credit:  Patti Rabun