I want to be like her when I grow up

I spent some time today with one of my favorite women in the whole world. Called and asked her if she wanted to go out shopping later (hey, it was Saturday, we didn't need to get up early or anything). Despite the rain and a bum knee, she was up for it. I brought my coupons (always!).

As we always do, we talked about everyone and everything on the way to the mall - relationships, my sisters, her daughters, our husbands. She is so wise and I really respect her opinions. She shared some pretty candid feelings about a certain relationship. Such a sweet woman - even when telling me, she was apologizing to me for telling me. I told her, "Hey, that's what friends are for. You need to have someone to talk to about some of these things. You can't just keep them inside." In fact, she's the one who taught me that it is perfectly acceptable to be upset - with limits - when something hurtful happens.

So we shopped. She shared her honest opinion on sizes and colors, did a little browsing of her own, and used the second coupon so I could get the sale price on 3 shirts instead of just two. (Thanks!!!). Met up with another friend, more shopping, more browsing, more laughing and chatting - then had to run to get some kids to their youth group activity on time.

When I took her home, she got comfy while I poured her a drink and she rested that knee. Talk with her is always so much fun - went from how to decorate our kitchens on through to the scariest moments in our lives. Losing our kids for 15 minutes in a mall was tops for both of us, even having lived through at least one major earthquake and the L.A. riots. There is something about being a mom that changes your view of "important."

Later in the evening we met up again at the local Japanese place to listen to my cousin's amazing husband create some magic on the guitar. Sushi, tempura, music, laughter, stories... I think we got shushed a few times and she nearly fell out of her chair at a few of the things my sister and I said. You just can't get us out in public anywhere without one of us bursting out laughing. As she always does she was lovely with those around us and made new friends (takes after her dad that way).

After she went home early I started musing on our relationship - we have grown and changed in the last few decades. I am honored to be able to call her friend and that she will confide in me.

I pray that I will be able to be that kind of mother and friend to my own daughters.

Thank you, Mom!