The whole of the holy life is good friends.
The Buddha to his cousin Ananda

our dear friends were here for a few days during their home visit.  the children paired off very much like they did a year and a half ago.  we relished in time together, often a big group of us.  we realized that we have known many of our friends for more than 20 years…and others feel like we have.

with a good dose of silliness and laughter, we celebrated the new year, jen’s birthday, and quite simply,  friendship.  we ate ridiculous amounts of food:  tamales (that we helped make!), lime cake, dips, enchiladas, pigs in blankets, donuts, tacos, pizza, cookies, truffles, dried kiwi, and then a lot of it over again with a pot luck.   we danced and sang along to salty dog verses in their honor.  goodness, goodness.

more grateful than tired, more happy than regretful, we recognize it was a bit like a stolen few days from reality.  and then all of a sudden…farewell again.