This past weekend, I traveled with my niece and her friend (and other members of my family) to an art festival in Salina, Kansas. These two young women were a laugh a minute. Morning and night. Both super sharp and funny. How they can be witty at eight years old is a mystery, but they are. And they were holding their own with four adult women.
When I took this picture, I knew before I clicked the button that I was seeing the past in these two. My past. My past with my best friend. My wish for them was that, even if they weren’t to be each others best friend, they found one who loved them as much as they were loved. A friend that can keep secrets. One that knows when to laugh, when to cry, and when to sit quietly and listen.
I have mine. I met her when we were in 5th grade. We may have met in 4th, but the real fun began in 5th, and hasn’t stopped. There are secrets we will never tell, and there are stories that we do tell. We’ve spent time apart during college years, and we have lived in the same urban neighborhood for the past 20 years.
Fifth grade is more than a few years ago. Heck, it’s more like 38 years ago. Time does fly, but it has real wings when you have a best friend at your side.
Notes: I was at the Smoky Hill River Festival with the girls. Definitely worth the trip. Photo #2 was taken earlier this year at the opening of the Mosaic Project for AIDS Walk Kansas City.
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Sloane,
Love the Smokey Hill Festival! We have been patrons for at least 10 years. One of the best events in the midwest and certainly some of the very best music ever. The fact that the crafts are judged as well as the fine are is amazing. Most of the items are one of a kind and worth the drive out there to get them.
Our dear friends got us hooked on the festival, they are the parents of our Godsons. We loved watching the boys grow and live in the eyes of the festival. In fact we would measure another year olider by the festival.
Hope the girls keep attending and growing in their friendship.
I have a feeling the girls will be friends for a long time!
It is a great festival of ALL arts and I think we’ll be beating a path for many years to come. I think we’re on year 10 as it is!
– sloane
I am Sloane’s kid sister and I can tell you her friendship with C is inspiring.