The Journey Inward

Saturday evening,
I sat in the glow,
And relished the flow,
Connection all around me.

Beside me a friend of 33 years,
(We started our teaching careers together),
On my other side,
A friend of 15 years,
(We returned to teaching part time,
After being home with kids for years,
And re-started our careers).

As I looked around 
This circle of friends,
Brought together for a birthday celebration,
After the guest of honor's husband called me
Weeks ago and asked me to invite 
Our teacher friends,
Our writing group,
And our pod squad,
Bringing our worlds together.

In this teepee,
Friends from all ages and stages
And phases of my life 
intersected. 
Old friends with new,
Professional friends with childhood friends,
And some new acquaintances in significant others.

I discovered that a fellow teacher
Who I've known on a surface level,
Went to the same high school,
(Though years later)!
And that the woman beside her
Was born the year I graduated from high school!
Another woman's boyfriend played guitar,
And wanted to see pictures of my brother's new one.

Despite the frigidly cold night,
I was warmed by watching a friend 
Of two years talk to my friend of twelve years,
And a teacher from my school
Talk to my friend from another school.

This room held so many connections,
Held some of the people dearest to me,
Represented the fullness and longevity of my life,
Represented my health and happiness and wholeness.
These people help me live wholeheartedly,
With love and caring and trust,
With dependability and loyalty,
All wrapped up in the gift of friendship.

After the party, we drove back to my house,
Where everyone had parked for our carpool,
And a newish friend met my kids and son-in-law,
While an old friend, whom they call Aunt,
Showered the newlyweds with a wedding gift,
And the recovering girl with a crossword puzzle book.

This night was about integration...
My friends, my family, my coworkers, my writers,
Their significant others and neighbors.
All of us living with open hearts, 
And open minds.

Integration,
That deep level of connection,
Sharing lives, values, identities,
Fostering unity and mutual understanding,
Intimacy, trust, and happiness.
Integration,
My blessing.

Photo:  Frenchtown, NJ.  11.23.24 by LA