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October 26, 2018

Arizona, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Minnesota – What Do These States Have in Common?

13 Comments/ 2/ 0

Arizona, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Minnesota.

Four states not necessarily in any order.

Four somewhat unrelated states and yet they all have a commonality.

The other morning after I trudged up the hill to the mailbox I paused.  Not because I was out of breath this time.  The trek to the mailbox is getting easier these days as I attempt to increase my exercise.

No, I paused because as I put the cards in the mailbox I reflected on where they were going and who they were going to.

I have had the privilege of living in a multitude of places over the years and have shared that with my readers before.  One of the things that comes with moving around is the fact that I have friends all over the place.  It is a good thing.  A very good thing.

So when I put those letters in the mailbox the other morning I realized that those 4 letters represented four distinct times of my life, four different places and four different friends who have made a difference to me.

The Arizona connection was my friend from our Navy days in Orlando way back in the early years of our marriage.  Our connection?  Roommates in the hospital when we had our first baby boys.  A lifetime connection that will always be there and be a special part of my life.  She also pretty much saved my life as well so there is that.

The Ohio connection was my high school friend who also was a college friend since we attended Ohio Northern University together.  Our connection is rooted in youth group activities and growing up together in New Concord, Ohio.

The Pennsylvania connection comes from when we lived in Monaca and was a church connection that turned into an amazing friendship that has continued over the years.  Girls get aways and trips to reconnect when I go to see my mom continue to this day.

And finally the Minnesota connection is one that was formed when we lived in Iowa and I met this fellow North Iowa Blogger.  Though we have both moved away from Iowa we still are close and continue to keep in touch usually at least weekly through messaging and texts.

As I put those envelopes in the mailbox I realized, once again, just how wonderful life is.

How blessed am I?

While life moves on I realize that each day is an opportunity to be thankful for the friends that I have both near and far .  They are what makes me who I am today and I am grateful.  So very grateful.

Who are the friends in your life that make a difference?  Leave me a comment and remember that each comment this month means a 50 cent donation to UMCOR – Hurricane Florence Recovery.

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13 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Darlene
    October 26, 2018 at 07:11 am

    I love that I have friends all over the world too and that we keep in touch even though the years have gone by. Keeping in touch takes effort, especially in our busy world, so I really appreciate that so many of my friends do. It is also comforting to know that no matter where I go, there is usually someone nearby to look up. I also feel blessed.
    “A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” ― Elbert Hubbard

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      October 26, 2018 at 07:44 am

      Exactly! You totally understand what I am talking about and isn’t it just such a wonderful feeling? I love having the ability to find friends almost everywhere we travel and we look them up when we do. Love your quote! That’s a great one!

      Reply
  2. jena c. henry
    October 26, 2018 at 09:37 am

    The times of your life! Glad to hear you cherish it all!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      October 26, 2018 at 06:49 pm

      Oh yes—It has all been pretty darn wonderful. Moves are never easy but we always were happy to move to the next phase of our life and it has always proved to be even more exciting!

      Reply
  3. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    October 26, 2018 at 10:27 am

    You. You are a friend who makes a difference. From that first “she’s going to throw you in the trunk of her car” poetry reading meeting to today, I consider you a dear friend. I value your love, your compassion, your kindness, your encouragement…

    Like you, I have dear friends I’ve met through blogging plus dear friends right here in Faribault and beyond.

    What a blessing is the gift of friendship.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      October 26, 2018 at 06:48 pm

      Aw. That made my day! Seriously. Thank you! The feeling is definitely mutual!

      Reply
  4. Shirley Matthews Dunn
    October 26, 2018 at 12:44 pm

    Friends are truly a gift from God. I don’t know if you knew that Dianna Keen and I are classmates from Surry, VA. We had not see each other in about 50 years we connected by her wonderful blog. Due to that I became connect with many more classmates through a group formed ” The Surry Girls”. So from classmates, to present I have made many friend and so thankful. Now due to your blogging I have another friend. <3

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      October 26, 2018 at 06:48 pm

      I love your story! It is wonderful to reconnect through social media and I love how paths can cross once again years later. So glad you found my blog–you have been a wonderful reader and I always love your comments!

      Reply
  5. Jeni 💫Practical Magic🔮 Eats (@JeniEats)
    October 27, 2018 at 09:57 am

    Your friendship has blessed so many people. We love you very much! Anytime there’s a card in the mail box from you it’s a very good day.

    Reply
  6. dawnkinster
    October 28, 2018 at 10:13 am

    Love this. My folks had friends from all over too, from each stage of their lives, from friends they grew up with to friends from high school and college, and then the Army, and then in towns they lived in, and finally from their world travels. It was amazing. And I inherited that trait. I have my music friends, my school friends, and kids I grew up with, and my truck safety family, and my running group, and now blogging friends, many of whom I’ve met. Sometimes I forget that this friend doesn’t know that friend because they’re from different boxes in my life. I feel blessed.

    Reply
  7. Mama's Empty Nest
    October 30, 2018 at 09:59 am

    Having moved quite a bit too, I certainly can relate to this post. I like taking a look at my Christmas card envelopes before I mail them – the different places and states they fly off to remind me of all the friends we’ve left there. It’s a good feeling.

    Reply
  8. priscillaking
    November 07, 2018 at 12:26 pm

    What came to mind was my worst school friend…the one wrongly reported dead, by someone who heard “breast cancer” as meaning “terminal,” at our ten-year reunion. She’s still an active, well preserved, almost credibly blonde grandmother now. She’ll never be my best friend, nor will her mother nor her sisters–but that whole pack of hysterical overprivileged horsey spoilt brats have added a lot of drama and laughter to my lonely widowed days. I *am* glad she’s survived.

    Does anyone else have an official, unmistakable Worst Friend? Whom they *do* like, in some bizarre way…well, sort of.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 08, 2018 at 07:22 am

      Oh goodness–what a story, Priscilla! I am not even sure how to respond to that story! I can’t say I have a worst friend at this point. And hopefully I won’t be able to ever say that! 🙂

      Reply

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