If we are lucky enough you are blessed to have them.  Lifetime friends that are truly more than that. They become family. Special people who are there for you always no matter what. They take the time to make visits, often, no matter where you move to. They come to lend a hand even in the toughest and messiest of situations.  They offer emotional support and many times a shoulder to lean on. I am delighted to say that I have several people in my life like this, but the one that stands out for sure is Renee. We have been close friends now for near 40 years. She has been there through many hard and fun times with me. We were the company event organizers back in the day as well as the motivators.  She has taken planes, trains, and automobiles to visit us no matter where we have been.  No matter where we both have settled, we have never lost a beat. We seem to pick up right where we left off. Our friendship is easy and not complicated.  Recently she took time out to come and visit us in our current spot for 3 days. No special plans needed. Just an easy-going time together, conversation and lots of laughter. There is always laughter.  We hung out comfortably by the campsite talking about all kinds of thing and catching up.  Afternoon bocci ball game which Renee won.  Took one afternoon to stroll along Oneida Lake and have a picnic lunch. Another evening was dinner at her favorite casino restaurant and some luck at the slots. But the best was our ride to another casino a little way away where one of the main attractions was bowling.  YES.  A rather new bowling venue and being that we were the champion team back in the day, we had to get in a few games. And then adding a few coins to the slots before leaving, of course, Renee hits on one machine with a gazillion free spins that seemed to never end.  What fun to see her excitement at this and ours too. But, time flies by way too quickly and her visit comes to its close. Another great time together to add to the books and to look forward to her visit yet again in the next few weeks. These times are important especially as we continue our travels because we will be apart for some time. But, knowing her, there will be some form of transportation that will get her on her way to us somewhere on our journey.

Thanks to Renee and all our family of friends for being in our lives.