You’re among friends

Hope A. Smith
Published: August 28, 2008

  My hubby was out of town this past weekend, so it was just our daughter and me from Thursday through Sunday.
    My mom invited us over Thursday evening for one of my favorite meals, a “Brinner” (breakfast for dinner). I stopped by Blockbuster on Friday and picked up four movies figuring we would just be chilling, just Mommy and daughter for the weekend.
On our way home Friday, I received a text from one of our friends from the lake, inviting us out to dinner, his treat!
Saturday was a stay-at-home day, and I worked to get the house back to a non-condemned state. I cleaned the bathroom, the kitchen sink cabinet, and even tackled my closet (OK, so it was only half, but that’s like climbing halfway up Mount Everest). And the reason we’re getting torrential downpours? My daughter cleaned her room — without my asking, begging, pleading and groveling.
We’d gone into town to run some errands (that’s when you know you live in the country, when you have to “go to town”) between house chores. After hitting the library, Mickey D’s and the grocery store, we resumed the tasks at hand.
Four loads of laundry washed, dried, and folded later, it was time for a movie. We jumped into “Dan In Real Life,” which was cute. Not $10 per person cute (as referenced in last week’s column), but $5 DVD rental cute. We’d gotten some dinner items from the store, so I just figured we’d chill at home for the evening, maybe watch “Juno.”
At 5 p.m., my buddy Kristen called me and said, “Hey, we’re hanging out at Steve’s dock, why don’t you guys come over, have some drinks, and we’ll go out to dinner?”
Folks, I had put nary a drop of makeup on that day and was quite satisfied with bumming out at home. She said OK, and we said our goodbyes. About 15 minutes later, I called her back and said, “Why don’t you guys come over, and I’ll make Pizza Casserole?,” to which Kristen replied, “C’mon, it’s not a work day, you’re not cooking, come over. Dinner is my treat!” Peer pressure can get to you sometimes, so I relented, slapped on some makeup and let my daughter know we were heading out. She was so relieved for us to go out!
The next day, I thanked Kristen from the bottom of my heart for pressuring us to go out. We had a fantastic time, and it really warmed my heart to know that we have friends who keep us in their thoughts. I also thanked our friend, Steve, for inviting us to dinner Friday. It reminded me of a quote from Charles R. Swindoll, “I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun.”
My daughter and I have also become close friends with a fine group of ladies. Our husbands are Freemasons, and once a month, they have a family dinner to which wives and families are invited. And the food is incredible! The last time I ate there, I popped a button on my slacks.
Anyway, after dinner and while the fellas are having their meeting, we ladies play dominoes. Yes, dominoes. Doesn’t sound exciting, does it? But these ladies are some of the funniest, caring and friendliest people I’ve ever met. Dominoes? It seems more like a thousands-at-stake game of Texas Hold ‘Em!
No, we don’t gamble, but boy do we have a good time.
We share life stories, poke fun with one another, and the two hours fly by.
Our daughter has grown to really look forward to “Domino Night” and the fun we have. These, too, are ladies I know I can count on if I’m down or just need some words of wisdom.
So, thank you — to all my friends (and family members), new and old. It surrounds me like a warm, fuzzy blanket to know these people are part of my life. I can never thank them enough. I can only offer the same friendship in return, but somehow I think that’s enough.

Hope A. Smith is an independent columnist and resident of Orange County. Her column appears Fridays.
E-mail