23 Comments
User's avatar
Robert Lucy's avatar

I cherish my school friends, many I have known since we were 12. there is nothing like that childhood connection. I love that you spent the anniversary planting a garden, I'm sure that Bailey was supervising.

Deb Antonini's avatar

What a beautiful essay. Your observation that old friends remember who we were before life reshaped us really struck me. The image of twelve-year-old you searching for four-leaf clovers was unforgettable. I finished reading this thinking about my own oldest friends and feeling grateful for them. Thank you for sharing such a meaningful piece.

Prjulie's avatar

Right back attcha! I feel so deeply deeply lucky to have you in my life as a confidant, inspiration, and reality check, all these years!!!

Isa Catto's avatar

Moi aussi cherie! Oh how Dr. McB would be proud. Now let me wax on about Baudelaire……

Prjulie's avatar

Ummm, was that second old in the subtitle entirely necessary?!?🤣

Isa Catto's avatar

Turn of phrase…

EGB's avatar

Beautiful.

Isa Catto's avatar

Thank you Erin!

Cultivating Place's avatar

blessings - old and new....

Jill Wilkins's avatar

Beautiful reflections Isa. I always look forward to your posts. ♥️

Isa Catto's avatar

Oh thank you Jill. And the walk draws nigh! xoox

Ann's avatar

I love that you and Julie found one another all those years ago at Potomac and the myriad ways you’ve evolved together since. I remember how she made you laugh. I’m so glad you’re present and vibrant in one another’s lives still. xx 🩷💜💚💛🧡💙

Lorene Edwards Forkner's avatar

Isa, as always you are mirror that reflects me back to my self with reality and tenderness. I can’t thank you enough.

Joanne Toft's avatar

Thank you for sharing these thoughts of old friends and the deep feelings of loss. I was not planning to read this today but I did and it was what I needed as I am struggling with some daughter issues right now. The remembering to laugh, keep creativity going and connect with old friends was helpful today. Thanks you again

Kathy Springer -Lechuga's avatar

Like you I have a friend I met in middle school. I was the new, shy kid. She was the outgoing "everybody knew" kid. This is our 56th year together and we are going on a fabulous vacation! "You can't make old new friends"!

Jim Whitney's avatar

Reading this was a great start to my day

Susan Crown's avatar

Laughter may be proof that healing is happening

Felicity Huffman's avatar

Thank you Isa, your posts are a gift.

Josephine Courant's avatar

Beautiful. Everyone needs a friend like Julie who knew the past us. I have a crew of boarding school friends in UK who are more like sisters and were instrumental in helping me get through the grief of losing Mum. I will FaceTime them when I am feeling down for a chat and it always manages to shift my perspective and lift my mood. I just wish I could see them in the flesh one day….maybe one day.

Heidi Johns's avatar

🤍

Flora Jewell-Stern's avatar

Beautiful