Route 66 at sunrise

Route 66 in Southern California

A quick blog post for a busy day!

I was in my hometown in So Cal the past few days for a memorial service. I took very few photos because I wanted to be in the moment and enjoy the company of friends I've known my entire life. 

Whenever I pick up my camera, my attention goes into photos. 

I took the above photo at about 6 a.m. on Sunday morning standing in the middle of Route 66 before there was any traffic out. It wasn't a spectacular sunrise but not too bad. 

The past few days made me feel deeply blessed because I was with people I've known since my earliest memories, and we were wandering around our childhood haunts. What a pleasure being around people with whom I share such a long history.

Having moved to a new city as an adult/empty nester/newly divorced person, it's been tough. As an introvert, I don't always find it that easy to make friends, and I'm pretty happy doing my own thing a lot of the time.

If you're having trouble making friends, you're not alone. The best thing I've found is to go out and do the things you love and find some meetup groups of people doing those things.

It's how I've made some good friends in Atlanta.  Spending a few days like I just did also gives me such an appreciation for the friends I've had for so long.  

One look or a random word conveys volumes - shared stories, jokes, and memorable occasions. 

On Friday night, my friend Liza and I went to dinner. It was her father's memorial I flew out to attend. As we finished dinner, I asked her about another friend of ours and she said, "Let's call her!"

Within a half-hour, after 10 that evening, we were walking in the door at our friend Angela's. 

I was completely exhausted, having been up early to catch the flight out west and my body felt like it was past 1 a.m. but I didn't care.

I hadn't seen Angela in about eight years. The length of time didn't matter. 

The three of us sat and talked as if we'd seen each other last week. I had the pleasure of talking with her again at the service on Sunday. 

I love that. 

I saw some other friends on this trip that I've known forever but don't get to see too often, and it felt just the same. 

We did some hiking in the local canyon at the foot of Mt. Baldy.

We did a lot of cleaning at the house for the after-service dinner. 

We did a LOT of talking. We ate some good food and drank a little wine. 

We all dispersed yesterday and I flew up to Washington State where I'm now with my stepdaughter and the beautiful grandkids, and I get to see another friend I've known since elementary school.

Even if you're not visiting old friends this week, I hope you have an amazing rest of your week!

I haven't seen a single raindrop since I left Atlanta but there were definitely some tears shed.

xoxo,
Susan