Girl friends

I watched Desperate Housewives tonight - I admit it - I am an addict! I love DSTV on Demand, because I can watch DH without any breaks for adverts.

Tonight I just couldn't stop laughing at the antics of Gabby and Bree - their forbidden friendship was so like a clandestine affair. They had to meet secretly because Carlos forbade Gabby to see Bree. They fought off the temptation to spend time together secretly, and then gave into it and revelled in it. When it came down to choosing between her marriage to Carlos and her friendship with Bree, she chose her girl friend. Of course, it was really about control and making her own decisions, but the end, when she and the girls moved in with Bree was classic.

There was another part when Lynette and Tom were having a fight and Renee walks in and sits down to listen! Only a girl friend could do that.

I have always had special friends, and as I've worked with women most of my life, they have often been girl friends. There are friends that we have as couples, but I have also always guarded those special girls who are MY friends. I often wonder if a man can understand the bond between girl friends - the "click", the common interests, the ability to talk and talk and talk!! Maybe it was jealousy that really made Carlos choose between him and Bree.

I look back at all the friends I have shared my life with. There was Noreen, with whom I shared a house and many tears and laughs. We lost touch, and a little while ago, she committed suicide - so sad. There is Pauline, who is Sarah's godmother - she's still down on the South Coast and we chatted on the phone once, but haven't met up for years. There is Jane, who was a close friend and a colleague and Nicky's godmother, who has now moved to New Zealand. I've tracked down her daughter on facebook and hope she'll get in touch with Jane's address. Carlene and Carol were "crafty" friends; Linda shared baby days with me; Vanessa and I were friends with each other, as well as "couple" friends; Sue, whom we saw in New Zealand last yer - our 4 girls grew up together; Heather who, sadly, died in an awful accident about 15 years ago but is never forgotten - I saw a Virginia creeper on a wall in Clarens, and was immediately reminded of her home in Ashburton; Ann who is probably my "oldest" friend - we have been friends since we were 14 - too many years ago to count! Wendy and Zodwa who were co-conspirators in the pre-Primary and still great friends - I miss them more than I miss St Nics itself; Tracy, Frankie and Jenny - close and beloved friends at St Matthews; Melissa and Heather - I shared music with them - both gone now but never forgotten; Lorraine who became my neighbour as well as my friend; Mal - my special friend right now - the one I can always rely on, the one who will laugh with me over the foibles of ourselves and others, and share our new adventures together as "the koeksusters!" Fi, Ju and Dee - friends from out Bible Study group who have become sisters in love. My sister, Jen, and my daughters, Sarah and Nic. And many others - too many to list.

Yes, I've been blessed with good friends - girl friends. I remember going to a talk where we were encouraged to give "honorary life membership" of our lives to significant people. Well, I give it to all my girl friends. You have all been part of my journey, and I hope will continue to be. I love you all.