Silver and Gold

An old refrain says, “Make new friends, but keep the old; some are silver, and the other is gold.”

As you go through life, you will find that only a few of your childhood friends remain friends with you when you are an adult. People grow apart, move far from others, and take different paths, resulting in divergent opinions and attitudes.

It applies to people you know at different stages of your life. As a parent, you often befriend parents of your children’s friends. Later in life, as their friendships end, you also lose yours with their parents. This is true, especially if you or they move far away. Your circle of friends widens and contracts with every situation.

When I moved to Virginia, finding friends took me a very long time. I found many people, and some were friendly, but those were brief friendships.

After 14 years, it seemed like an eternity; my husband and I walked into a small local restaurant for lunch.

There was an elongated table where several women were playing cards. While we waited for our food, I watched them play at my table. I knew it was some form of Canasta. I loved Canasta; the first variation I played was Hand and Foot. I decided to interrupt the game and introduce myself, something I had or would never have done before. They seemed receptive, especially when I said I knew how to play. They told me they played there once a week and always seemed to need a substitute. All I had to do was show up.

I was so excited. Apparently, when I left the restaurant, one woman said, “This is going to change her life!” How right she was. I was introduced to a group of women who would become my mainstay in my new hometown. I loved it. We were all from different places yet shared so much in common. It feels like I have known them forever, yet there is always something new to learn about each one. Silver and Gold. Their intrinsic value changes daily, but they are always invaluable in life, all the time. I believe we all need people, and it is so good to have once again “found” mine.