A Gift Called Barbara

Gifts come in all sizes and shapes. Sometime in the late 1980's, I was gifted with the friendship of three beautiful ladies, Barbara, Sharon and Shirley. We met at the First Church of Religious Science in St. Louis and although our lives were very different, friendships were forged that remain strong today. We soon became known as "Les Girls." Not sure how that name came to be but it stuck.

Les Girls was not an exclusive club. Other ladies came into our social circle and even some gentlemen. We met every week for dinner, conversation and good wine (sometimes a lot of wine). We spent time at a bed and breakfast in Bourbon, Missouri for many years in the fall. Others would join us but the four remained strong.

Early yesterday morning, September 3, 2017, one of the original Les Girls left Planet Earth. Barbara Frye Burns began a new journey that all of us will take someday.  

I was fortunate to be with her a few weeks ago in Greenville, North Carolina. She was spending her last days on earth at her son's home. Even in the midst of her confusion and pain, the Barbara I knew and loved was still present.  We laughed, we reminisced, we cried. We remembered times together and people we loved.

Les Girls shared many dinners together over the years. Those dinners were times of support and guidance for each member of Les Girls. Our trips to Gatlinburg and Bourbon included laughter and discussions about the meaning of life and, of course, men. 

Barbara and I traveled to Sedona and Branson without the other ladies. These were trips I will never forget for very different reasons. A planned trip to Russia did not become reality but she was there to comfort me when my first adoption trip to meet Ulya was cancelled. Vodka and caviar got us through the night. 

I could go on and on about our times together but I know my friend would say "this blog entry is too wordy." So, Barbara, if you are reading this, "deal with it."

As I end this entry, I just want to remind everyone that if you have a friend or friends who are there for you in times of joy and sorrow, treasure them. When they piss you off, love them. Goodness knows Barbara made me angry more than once and I'm sure I pushed many buttons for her. 

Years ago, when I was in the midst of a consciousness of lack, my dear friend sent me a book by Deepak Chopra, "Creating Affluence." The book was good; however, it is the inscription that I shall forever treasure:

To Mareda - My mother, my daughter, my friend. I am more grateful for you than words can express. With love and light, Barbara.

And so I shall end this entry with these words:

To Barbara - My mother, my daughter, my friend. 

I am more grateful for you than words can express. 

With love and light, Mareda.

Les Girls plus One
Mareda, Elva, Shirley, Sharon and Barbara
(many years ago) 

Peace and blessings,

Mareda