Several years ago, I lost the diamond out of my grandmother's ring. At night. In my dirty van.
When I realized it was missing, I started praying, grabbed a flashlight, and started examining every bit of debris I came across buried in that nappy carpet. One piece glistened brighter than the others. I found the diamond in just a few minutes (and if you could have seen the floor of that van, with sand tracked in by the kids amid pieces of old french fries...you get the idea...well, you'd know what a miracle that was!)
A few years ago, I rediscovered another gem - my friend Donna, who celebrated her 50th birthday in Vegas yesterday. She's like my grandmother's diamond in that she's translucent and beautiful, inside and out. She doesn't try to hide anything - if you ask her anything, she'll answer bluntly and honestly (and usually make you laugh.) She just doesn't broadcast her problems, even though she's had her share. Instead, she shows concern and interest in everyone else around her.
For a long time, Donna was in my life. And then, somewhere in our 20's, we drifted apart. Just lost track of each other. I kept up with her through the grapevine, but didn't see her for years, until all of us made an extra effort to get back in touch recently.
Digging through old pictures, I realize how much sparkle she added to my life when we were younger, how much we shared, and I regret the years I "lost" her. Our friendship now certainly has its roots in those younger days, but the friendship itself is between the women we are now, which encompasses the girls we were then, but is so, SO much more.
Just as God answered my prayers when I was searching for Mam-ma's diamond, I'm sure having Donna sparkling in my life again is an answer to another prayer. God knows what we need, doesn't he?
Here are some memories we share: at a slumber party at Debbie's house, in her very cool bedroom with black 'velvet' walls and round bed - we're (well, I'm taking the picture) eating vanilla Pillsbury Icing out of the can (long story): Lea, Tamara, Donna, Teason, Debra, Debbie, and Denise, about 8th grade; at a slumber party at Tamara's...9th grade...Donna, Denise, and I forming the base of the pyramid, Tamara and Debbie next, and Jan with her head cut off on top (sorry, Jan!); again at Tamara's, Donna (smear-ee) and Debbie (smear-er) - just shaving cream, I think; my bedroom, 10th grade - back to front, left to right, Donna, me, Ann L., and Debra; New Year's Eve party 1980 to 81, Donna, Tamara, Kathy; Debbie's bachelorette party evening, 1981, Donna and her firstborn, and me and Donna; at our high school 5 year reunion, Donna and my hubby, Tom; this past Sunday at La Margarita celebrating Donna's 50th birthday, me, Donna, Darla, and Donna BV.