My belated Thanksgiving.

Many, many years ago there lived 7 women.  Day after day they slogged it in the same law office.  Until one of them decided to leave for greener pastures - a new career.  By the end of her first week she called the 6 others and suggested that they all meet for a beer on Friday night.  She missed them and they missed her.

That was over 20 years ago.

We called our Friday nights "Choir Practice" and all these years later the tradition continues.  Same night, same time, same pub.  We adopted a member and lost one to the East Coast.  We've all aged (just a little), three of us have moved from the City, there have been marriages, babies, deaths, and quite a few other milestones.  The Friday nights have continued - it's a little group now, with the exception of Christmas it seems, because with busy families and busy lives it's just not as easy to get downtown every week.

But let me share the beautiful thing about these women.

Last Friday night we got together to show our support to our dear friend who had just lost her mom.  After meeting at our pub for dinner, we all arrived, together, at the funeral home making an entrance that only Choir could.

The evening was full of hugs and catch-up conversations about our moms, our kids, and our families.

We may not see each other as often as we like and I know that I'm guilty of falling off the radar for months at a time.  But I cherish my friendships with them - they are deep, lifetime friends that have always been there for me to celebrate the good moments and hold my hand during the bad.

Last weekend was Thanksgiving and I was blessed to spend the weekend with my sister and her family at my mom's.

But this weekend, I remembered how grateful I am for my friends.  This weekend I had a taste of what I've been missing with Choir Practice.  So, I'm taking a moment to let them know just how much I value what they have brought to my life.

Even though I'm not always sitting at that table in the back with you, I feel very thankful for the times that we do share together.  Next week - have a drink for me, okay?