so, let me tell you just a little bit about my friend, Karen.  But first, a disclaimer.  Not sure what was happening with my hair that day, but, it is what it is.  And I hope it will never be that way again.  Back to my story …

Karen and I were telephone buddies for a few years before we even met.  She was with a soccer club on the far northwest side of Tucson and I on the far East side of Tucson.  We interacted for soccer club business and later referees and her kids and my kids and now as friends of probably 20 years and grandmothers and always, free spirits.  We have discussed everything from God and kids and husbands and the F word and cars and finances and worries to where should we meet for lunch and when should we meet for lunch and what shall we eat when we meet for lunch.  And it is during these lunches, as infrequent as they are, that we can laugh together and more often than not, listen to the concerns of one another and feel our eyes fill with tears.

We have shared gripes and sicknesses and worries and excitement over trips and other plans.  We talk about everything and anything.  In short, we are just not afraid to be ourselves – with ourselves!  I adore her daughter, and although I do not know her son nearly as well, I can see he has turned into a fine young man holding his firstborn in a black and white photo that proud mama and grandma holds up for me to see.  Her husband is witty and charming and always ready with a big bear hug.

I am not sure how we first met face to face because it seems as though I have known her all of my life.  She inspires me at the age of – well, let’s just say she is hitting a milestone this year – she has found her personal niche.  She has always been an artist since I have known her.  But now, she is quite an accomplished artist as she travels to art shows to display and sell her unique craft and to teach classes, sharing her talents with the newbie artisans.  Her art is displayed and sold at some of the boutique stores in Tucson.  Art is such a personal talent and she is very brave to put it out there for display and wait for the comments on what she has created with her heart and soul.  Did I say that she inspires me?

If you have never had the pleasure of meeting my friend, Karen Phillips, then I am sorry for what you are missing.  And if you have met Karen, when you see her next, give her a big hug and tell her that her friend says hello and what are you up to now!