Last week, I took time out to visit past memories. As I went through the photo album, three pictures touched my heart in a special way. The women in the photos crossed my path in different ways over a twenty-year period. They were my girlfriends, supporters, mentors, advisers, and so on and so forth; but, when I moved to Florida we grew apart.
I have found many new friends, through social media, as well as friends in my new community. But, I miss these women and want to rekindle our relationship. I would love to reconnect with them through this blog, emails, or Facebook; but, they quickly let me know a venture into cyberspace is not an option for them.
On Friday, I purchased stationery and envelopes from the local supply store. My intent is to reach out to them, via snail mail, and try to re-establish our friendship.
My Girlfriends
Let me introduce you and share a little about what brought us together.
North Central Service Club
In the late 1990s, while working at a medical practice, a patient’s daughter invited me to attend a meeting of the North Central Service Club. A women’s non-profit organization, in existence since the late 1960’s, their primary goal is to mentor African-American female high school students and, through various fundraising activities, grant college scholarships to graduating seniors.
Sisters4Cure
I connected with Sisters4Cure within days after my breast cancer diagnosis in 2008. They were my support group as I journeyed down the path of living with breast cancer. These women were by my side to offer support, encouragement, prayers, and compassion throughout the time we spent together. Sisters4Cure is much more than a support group. This is a non-profit organization created and sustained by dedicated women, with breast cancer, whose primary mission is to:
- support women with breast cancer; and
- reach out to African-American women in the Milwaukee area for the sole purpose of promoting breast cancer awareness.
SeasonedSistahs Book Club
These were my four Seasoned Sistahs we created SeasonedSistahs Book Club. In fact, these women held such a special place in my heart; when, I created this blog I selected the name SeasonedSistah2. This photo was taken when we attended a book signing, something we often did as a group. Our love of reading, fiction and non-fiction, books written by African-American authors brought us together. We met for more years than I can remember to discuss the book we had selected to read for the month. Over time we begin to feel more comfortable in each other’s presence; and we, expanded beyond our individual space and found the courage to share the unnecessary baggage that we carried, past and present, that prevented us from living our life to the fullest. After I moved to Florida, the three remaining members continued to meet until Rose’s health deteriorated in early 2013.
I am Grateful to all the women, in the three photos, for the positive impact they had on my life. Through my snail letters, I want to express gratitude, say thank you, and share the present with the girlfriends who were there to experience my past.
SeasonedSistah 
Thank you so much for introducing me to these vibrant and loving women. Sisters are indeed important people to have in your life – including you.
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While I love retirement and Florida, I do miss the friends that I left behind. Hopefully, this will lead to a reconnection. I am so happy that I connected with you and love reading your posts. Thank you for your comments.
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Thank you, Viva. I am so happy we connected through blogging. And, I always look forward to reading your posts.
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Great blog
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Thank you, my beautiful eldest daughter.
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I’m glad you had such a rich support group. You were truly blessed. I hope they respond to your snail mail approach. I suspect they will be way more comfortable with that!
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I plan to send out letters next week. I plan to begin with “words of gratitude;” and, I know what happens thereafter will find its place. Thank you for your comments.
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I suspect they will be much appreciated!
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dear Yvonne,
what a wonderful idea. letters written with such graciousness and gratitude take time and effort, and I am guessing each one of your girlfriend’s will be so surprised and thankful to hear from you. it’s lovely that you want to reconnect with them, and I hope you enjoy the anticipation of their replies. the older I become, the more I think of past relationships that have fallen by the wayside for many reasons – moving far away from out home town many years ago, just circumstances where distance and being busy raising children…so many reasons that led to losing contact. but now I am inspired to believe it is never to late to try to contact some of my old friends. too. please keep us posted on how all goes…I bet there will be a lot of good stories to tell!
much love,
Karen xoxo
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Definitely, a followup post is planned. I see this snail mail approach as the first step and, hopefully, there will be an opportunity for a face-to-face connection with some of the girlfriends when I visit Wisconsin this summer. Thank u for ur comments and you are right, it’s never to late to reconnect with a friend.
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beautiful tribute to your sisters!
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Value ur friendship so, so much.
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Now, you will have me seeking out my friends that marriage etc has taken from me. When and if I do, i’ll let you know.
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Yes, do let me know if you decide to reconnect. I have started to gather addresses and, hopefully, can get this project off the ground in the next week or so. You take care.
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What a wonderful idea? We dont always remember things like this.You have trully inspired mexx
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As I grow older, 72-years-old in ten more days, I realize my circle of old friends grows smaller and smaller. Waiting to connect with them until I find the time, is no longer a good option. Thank you for your comments.
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