Day seven: friends in low places

The last two evenings, I have hung out with some of my friends. I am fortunate to have them. Friday night I was with my friend K. She is an amazingly strong person and is in kind of a rough place now. I am glad for her perspective and her positive attitude even in the midst of some tough, low times. She is my wings and beer friend and I will always associate these two foods with her.

Tonight I went out with a married couple. After a tasty dinner, the thee of us went bowling and brought our own beer, which, for some reason, a BYOB bowling alley was quite exciting. We brought three different types of beer and each of us gravitated to a unique type. As the empty bottles lined up on the floor against the wall, I had two thoughts:

1. "Friends in Low Places" started to play in my head. The song's memory just made me smile and I was thankful for my friends and who have been placed in my life during some of my recent low places.

2. I just liked that we are all different bottles. It reminded me of Zora Neale Hurston's essay "How it Feels to be Colored Me." (http://mapsites.net/gotham08/Docs/Hurston.htm) She is my favorite author. Her work just resonates with me deeply. She was such a strong and independent woman and I find her simply inspiring.

So here's to all my friends. Whether I met you in a high or a low place, I am thankful for you. I raise my different beer to yours and am thankful, very thankful for our differences and our connection on this life journey.