"A Trip Down Memory Lane"

My friend, GG is so wonderfully thoughtful! She invited "Gladys" to take a trip down Memory Lane to Columbia, SC with her. She said we would visit her hometown, see where she grew up, the first house that her family built, visit her high school and have lunch with her high school friends, one of which owned the upscale restaurant where we would all be meeting for lunch. It was a Steel Magnolia kind of day.....but no one died....which was a much better ending! The town had wonderful trees, historic homes, sidewalks with people walking, smiling and enjoying life. It was great!

Her friends were wonderful! Diane, from "Diane's on Divine"(the nice upscale restaurant) wasn't on Divine, she was working in her Deli instead so I didn't get to meet her. I did meet Mimi, owner of the local newspaper (that wanted my frilly blouse - it was love at first site), Betty, retired from Texaco, Sylvia, retired nurse, Anne, a retired realtor, Wanda, best friend from elementary, Kay, retired from Columbia College and is a realtor now and Carrie Ann, with that sweet smile at the end of the table.....the quiet one. Nice to meet you ALL!

Afterwards, we went shopping at Chico's and then by the church where GG and Joel were married. "Gladys Friday" was very excited! It was a great day.

So, "Gladys," wanting to return the favor, invited GG to take a trip down HER Memory Lane the following week. We went by the first and only house that "Gladys" lived in until she was married (at age 16). We went through the neighborhood (keeping doors LOCKED) where "Gladys" picked up her best friend to "drag Shoney's." We had lunch at The Little Barn where we split a corn dog.....with mustard and sat out under the oak tree, swatting flies, making memories. We went shopping at The Family Dollar where my best friend from high school had given "Gladys" her family discount so she was able to furnish her first house (at age 16). We then went by "Gladys" high school which now has a 10 foot fence with barbed wire around the top of it and "Gladys" took Gayle by the bleachers to show her where she "got her FIRST kiss"!!!!!!! The same bleachers where her daughter, a year later stood, clapped and cheered as she watched "Gladys" (her Mommy) graduate!!!! "Gladys" was SO PROUD to see her sweet little smiling face. Now that's some "show and tell." Ain't life just grand?

I'm "Gladys Friday" today, aren't you?