Of a certain age...

The road ahead of me is much shorter than what lies behind. The experience gained maneuvering all the freeways, side streets, mountain passes, country lanes, and a few dead ends, makes this last leg of the journey one to which I bring courage and curiosity, vulnerability and hopefully some wisdom, humility, and gratitude. I am most grateful for my fellow travelers who have accompanied me on small portions, many miles, or the entire length of my life's trip.

One friendship dates back to when we were four years old, living in the same Portland neighborhood. Although for much of our adult lives we were seldom in touch, that early bond of Blue Birds and church junior choir, learning to ride bikes together, and spending idyllic summer days playing in Lake Creek, that ran through their Camp Sherman ranch, forged a friendship that has endured. We love to share our memories of riding together in the Sisters Rodeo Parade in the '50s and dosey-doeing at the Camp Sherman community hall. Now she comes from Corvallis to visit me where we created so many of our memories.

Another dear friend and I crossed paths in our freshman English class in high school. We were doubles partners on the tennis team and even earned a place in the state tennis tournament. We spent many fun evenings playing at the Washington Park tennis courts after getting off work from summer jobs. I was a bridesmaid in her wedding and her cheerleader when it came to encouraging her artistic pursuits.

We were extremely fortunate to spend 10 years living in Sisters at the same time until she and her husband sold their "homestead" with the glorious view of the Three Sisters and left the area. She has been my touchstone through the years, although we never lived in the same town after high school graduation, except for Sisters. During one particularly difficult period in my life, her home in Spokane became my way-station on trips between Seattle and Montana.

She is the only person, except for my two sons, who has her own ringtone on my cell phone. We just shared one of our long morning chats last week. When I hear her voice coming across the miles, the years melt away and we are back in high school, working on the yearbook or decorating for the prom with apple blossoms from the trees in my yard. In Sisters, we took on numerous projects together with the same gusto, she with her artistic talent and me with my attention to details, organization, and writing skills.

My dearest male friend is a man who entered my life in the second grade at Sylvan Grade School in Portland. His family moved into the district, our parents had mutual friends, and we had opportunities beyond the classroom to become best buds. In high school, we spent hours on the phone, discussing our latest crushes and what the other thought we should or shouldn't do.

He went to U of O, I to OSU. He went to Vietnam with the Navy. I worked in Portland. He chose a career in the Navy, married, and lived in California and Washington, D.C. I married, lived in Seattle for 33 years, and yet our paths continued to cross and our relationship matured into a caring adult appreciation for one another that endures today. I will get to see him when he comes to Salem next week from Virginia for the signing of a bill honoring his father.

Many friends and acquaintances have passed through my 70 years, some briefly, some for a particular period of my life, and some for decades. When I reflect on my life, it is the individuals who have peopled it that provide the color, texture, and meaning. My long-time friends are the repository of my history, my memory banks. They each retain different aspects of who I was and who I am now - and love me anyway.

Each of my new friendships provides the opportunity for fresh discoveries, different experiences, and more memories. Every friendship deserves attention and nurture, whether for a brief interlude or a longer sojourn. Traveling the road of life has been made more exciting, more rewarding, and more meaningful when shared with friends. At the end of the road, it is my fellow travelers I will remember.