Saturday, August 29, 2009

A Great Visit

Hello my friends, I have had a wonderful couple of days with one of my best friends.
Terry and I have been friends for over 50 years. We began talking to each other in grade school and continue our conversation today all these years later.

Our friendship has endured so much, birthdays, graduations, weddings, births and even funerals. We have laughed and cried together, shared each others sorrows and encouraged and helped each other through illnesses and even horrific times. Through it all our friendship grew stronger and we are so blessed to share many of the same friends who went to Grade School and High School with us. Many of us have moved to far away places yet the special bond of friendship we have always keeps us together.

My wish for all of you is to know the love and loyalty of one if not more... of a true friendship.....a bond that nothing can nor ever will break.



A friend.... who loves your trees...





.....who shops with you for endless hours.....





.....who tells you "your hair looks great short" making you feel good about yourself.


We shopped at West Edmonton Mall, the biggest mall in the world, ate ice cream as we watched families and friends skate on the huge ice rink, watched children swim in the water at the beach as their parents sat on lawn chairs reading their books. The best ever was watching the dolphins swim, eat and do tricks in their very own pool.

We then went to dinner at Beijing Restaurant and ate Chinese Food before going to the movies. We were unable to see My Sister's Keeper instead we saw Julia and Julie, which was unexpectedly quite good.

After leaving early in the morning we returned home around 10 o'clock exhausted but happy. Happy to have shared special time together.

I love having company, all are welcome in my home.....oh but best friend's have their very own room....

Have a great weekend my friends.....God Bless and many....Hugs:-)

44 comments:

Barb said...

Hi Bernie,
What a great picture of you! I had to enlarge it (you are getting so small...) and I think your hair does look very stylish. You are so right about good friends - they are lifeboats on life's rough sea. I don't know what I'd do without mine. I can imagine that you cherish your friendships and that's why you've kept good friends these many years.
I'm in Denver - just finished babysitting for Caden and Neve. I can climb high mountains but 5 hours playing with a 2 and a 3 year old tucker me out!

Anonymous said...

Love your story and your photos. My best friend is a little younger than me and still working. I seldom get to see her. She is wearing out, those years just before retirement can do that.
QMM

Maria said...

This is becoming a beautiful weekend about friendship!
I spent the day yesterday with my sister...
She is my very best friend.
Everyone is talking about Julie and Julia! I really should go see it!
All the best, Maria

Wanda..... said...

Hi Bernie... I realize the whole time I am reading your post...I hava a big smile on my face. You and Terry probably act and think like teenagers when out and about...well-behaved teenagers of course.

I saw a clip of Julia and Julie, and it seemed Meryl Streep really "was" Julia Child! You know it's based on a true story of a real blogger.

Speaking of bloggers...I came across a blogger named Bernie, who is a breast cancer survivor, and would like to counsel other cancer patients...she is 83...isn't that such a big coincidence to find her blogging.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend Bernie...
Smiles,
Wanda

Eileen said...

I loved this, Bernie!
There is not much that can compare to time spent with your best friend! I'm so glad you got to enjoy this!

I too have a friend that I truly cherish her friendship and the time we spend together, whether it's here at my home for a quick cup of coffee together, or a day outing, or a weekend of fun!

The pictures were great! Too bad you didn't have someone around to snap one of you both together!
You look fantastic, Bernie. I LOVE your new look! Exceptionally chic!
You're not getting older, you're getting better!
Love you!,
Eileen

Cindy said...

Bernie that is awesome you have someone like your friend. what a wonderful friendship. Sounds like you had an awesome time. Take care.

Mar said...

Hi Bernie. You are so lucky to your friend of 50 years in your life. I still have some old friends, but at my age some of the older ones have passed. Your trip to the Mall sounds like fun. Next time I'm out West, the mall is on my list for sure. <3

Diana said...

Hi Bernie,
On my way out to church but wanted to say hi and sounds like you had a great time! And if I ever get to Canada, I will stop by for a visit!
Love Di
P.S. We all want to see that movie, even Jake!

Anonymous said...

Bernie...I can feel the happiness as you share the day spent with your friend. I love the photos...the tree hug, especially...what a great friend!
Thank you for bringing happiness to me...each time I'm at your blog, I know that I will get another hug and smile...from Bernie.
Smiles,
Jackie

Kay said...

so right you are! I have spent my life seperated from the ones I love, amazingly, no matter how much time goes by, you can pick up the phone, and pick up right where you left off...friendship is irreplaceable, for sure! Enjoy! :)

Bernie said...

Hi Barb, thank you but I keep battling my weight, I was happy to loose the 11 lbs. this spring though and have to work hard to keep it off. I do love my friends, and I had to chuckle about you playing with your grandchildren..
enjoy them, they grow so fast.
Have a great Sunday....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

QMM, the last few years before retirement were my hardest as my heart wasn't into it at all....stay in touch with your best friend, it's such precious time that we never get back...have a great Sunday my friend....Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Maria, I found the movie quite good, you should see it. My sisters are my best friends as well, we are so blessed to have them aren't we....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Wanda, Meryl Streep is excellent in the movie and I didn't know it was about a blogger until I saw it last night...it was good and I'm glas I saw it. I didn't realize Julia Child was so tall.
I would like to see the "other" Bernie's blog, how do I get there?
Terry & I said the same as you just did, we feel the same way as when we were teenagers but our bodies have a way of showing us we are much older. We did have a fun time, and I missed her as soon as she left......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Eileen, you say the nicest things and thank you.
Friends are wonderful, even when we are talking through the doors as we fall to sleep. We laugh so hard over the dumbest things.
Slowly getting use to the short hair, it is really easy to keep but I want just a bit more length. Terry really liked it but then she is my friend. We took my camera with us hoping for someone to snap a picture of us but we didn't run into anyone we knew. WED is huge!
Have a great Sunday.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

cinnear, I am blessed having such good friends and we do have a lot of fun together.....how was your anniversary.........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Ann of Green Cables, if you come out west you are always welcome and the coffee will be on...you will love West Edmonton Mall, it takes a full 3 days to see it all. I wouldn't want to shop there all the time though, too big, too much glass and too many people. It is a must see at least one time though.
Have a great Sunday......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Diana, oh would I love you to visit. I would love to show you the Mall and the mountains. You are always welcome my friend, any time at all.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Jackie, I love each and every time you visit via blog, there will always be a hug and smile for you my friend....always welcome here in Alberta, I do have guest bedroom so come anytime...:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Kay that has happened to me so many times, just pick up the phone and picked up right where I left off. Keep doing it my friend, never loose touch with your friends as when you are older they become even more precious.....Hugs

Garnetrose said...

I have a friend like that. We have been friends since I was in third grade and she was in first. Her mom and my foster mom were best friends and she was kinda like the little sister I never had. We have been thru alot together and like you and your friend, we have just grown closer. I had smile as I read the post about your visit. Reminded me of when I visited her in south Carolina a few years ago...It is wonderful isn't it.

Marian Dean said...

Old friendships stay in your heart, I have only one friend left from college days over 50 years ago. Sadly, over time, we have heard of the passing of the others from our group. Through the years though our friendship has endured long and reliable.
Your friend Terry looks a lovely person, as are you dear Bernie. I like the outfit you are wearing... slim you and slim chic hair-do.
Love Granny

Valerie said...

Nice pictures and absolutely love your header. It's so good to have friends, where would we be without them.

Teresa said...

Sounds like a fun day Bernie, I too was at West Edmonton Mall yesterday, but it was with Bailey and Tracy and Raj, looking for school clothes, and last minute school supplies, the place was packed!!!! : ) Raj got a gift card from his parents and bought some skin products from Clinique, and I was surprised when he gave me the "Gift with Purchase"...Tracy already had one! That was very nice of him.

Bernie said...

Hi Garnet, so good to hear from you. So happy to hear about your friend as well, we are blessed aren't we......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Granny, thank you....I am getting use to the short hair. It's sad when we learn a friend has passed, it's so important to share our life and our love with them as long as we are all here. Have a great day.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Val, I like my header as well, I find it calming....oh I wouldn't even want to think of where I would be without my friends and hope I never have too.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Terri, it was packed on Friday as well....where do they all come from? It was nice Raj shared with you, I'm glad to hear things are going well there Terri, families are so precious and I realize it more and more as I get older. Have a great Sunday.......:-) Hugs

Anvilcloud said...

Everyone who sees Julia and Julie seems to like it.

Tranquility Speaks said...

I am SO happy that you have a friend like Terry :D You indeed are blessed to have a gem of a friend. Who you can laugh and cry with. With whom you can sit for hours, without saying a thing, and still understand each other be extremely comfortable with each other. Life is incomplete without a friend like that! Cheers to your friendship and here's hoping rocking times for the next 60 years :)

P.S You are looking beyond fabulous in that picture. You really have lost a whole lot of weight and it makes you look 30 :D Keep up the great work Bernie!

Bernie said...

Hi AC, I am sure you and cuppa would enjoy this movie....most people in the theatre were around our age......:-) Bernie

Bernie said...

Hi Tranquility, thank you for the beautiful compliment....a few pounds do make such a difference and it's a battle each day for me to not gain weight. Thank heaven I am enjoying my exercise which I think really helps with my weight control.....Terry is a wonderful friend, everyone needs a Terry in their life.........:-) Hugs

Blessings each day said...

I am here, finally...I feel so remiss about not commenting enough and having these last few hectic days.

It is wonderful that you have an old friend with whom to enjoy the past and the present. I have a couple of friends from high school and it is like holding onto a piece of your youth or history, very nice indeed, especially when you can laugh together!

You do look terrific Bernie!

blessings and hugs,

marcy

Bernie said...

Hi Marcy, I just left your site and loved your post.
Best friends are one of my many blessing....I have made wonderful blogging friends as well....another of my many blessings.
Life is so good.....thank you for the compliment, it gets harder and harder to look good as I get older but I have accepted to be just who I am and am enjoying watching all the young people have their time enjoying the pleasures of youth. Now it's my time to enjoy the experience and wisdom that comes with age...oh yeah, it's my turn.
Have a great day......:-) Hugs

Rebecca said...

Your hair DOES look great short! I remember telling you that the day you first posted your new "do" and this second picture confirms it!

I really liked Julia Julia, also. I want to read the original Julia's autobiography. I've jotted down the title SOMEwhere to get at the library.

You are blessed to have this dear friend and vise versa! Remember that old saying, "Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold"?

June Saville said...

Yep - long lived friends are priceless. They know us inside and out.
June in Oz

Bernie said...

Thanks Rebecca, I love that saying about friends, now I want to remember it as it rings so true.
You will enjoy the movie especially if you like Julia Childs.
Have a great day......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

June, so true and without them our lives wouldn't be nearly as much fun. Have a great day....:-) Hugs

Gail said...

Hi Bernie-

Oh my I love this wonderful post. YOU look so beautiful. All the photos are so wonderful. I Love that you have the gift of friendship for 50 years. That speaks volumes to the loving, generous, kind, honest, understanding essence and spirit of YOU. Thank you for sharing this amazing story of hope for us all.
Love Gail
peace.....

Bernie said...

Gail, you are too kind. I am blessed with wonderful friends and never take our friendships for granted, they are much too precious too me. Hope you had a wonderful weekend.....:-) Hugs

Margie said...

Hello Bernie
Such a lovely post & it truly made me smile!
The pictures are wonderful & I have to tell you that you look so lovely in that picture... your new hair style becomes you so much!

How wonderful to have such a friendship for all these years!
That is just one of the very best things in life!
I too have some wonderful friendships & consider them a blessing!

I'm so glad you shared such a great time with your friend!

A warm hug to you, my friend!

Margie:)

Bernie said...

Hi Margie, hope you enjoyed your weekend. Thanks for your kind words my friend, at my age I will just say thank you and enjoy them.
Friends are precious to me Margie as I am sure they are to most people. My sisters are very special to me as well, I am very blessed and now I am making even more friends by blogging....oh life is so good......:-) Hugs

Anonymous said...

Bernie...I'm baaaaaaack. I love to come back and read the comments of your friends...I enjoy that very much. Wouldn't you say it's UNANIMOUS!..The new hair dooo is YOU!! You look absolutely beautiful....absolutey!!! I'm so excited for you that I could just kick up my heels. .....
.... ...... (That little pause was me...kicking up my heels!) I'm happy that you are happy!!!
Yeee Hawww.... (not my usual hee haw...but a happy Go Girl! for you and for friendship!!!)
Love,
Jackie

Bernie said...

Jackie, you can come back as many times as you want too, I love having you visit. Only wished you lived closer so we could enjoy a cup of tea and have a real heart to heart chat. It's funny as I have just left your site when you were here at mine....love it!
Thank you about my hair, I am getting use to it and don't mind it nearly as much. That first day I was devastated, how foolish was that? Love you my friend....Hugs