The annual girl posse visit

This is the tenth year they have visited us at our ranch. This year Alex's little sister, Eliza, second from left, joined the group. Most other years Sarah comes, but this year she had already returned to college in North Carolina. Here they are in the kitchen where we have already cleaned up after a wonderful dinner and we are about to play cards. (Oh Hell!)

The visit is always highly traditional. I anticipate their coming as I do visits from my grandchildren. When they were younger they stayed upstairs in the main house but in the last several years they bunk in at the guest house and come down for all meals. They lounge about on the porch with the dog and in the house. Instead of reading novels as they used to do, they are now focused on their studies. There is time for the truck ride around the property, the golf cart drive, swimming, some exploring. They are the easiest of guests!  In the morning when they're ready they come down to forage in our kitchen. We oldsters have long since done our work-outs, read the papers, and are at work in the studios. Everyone feels comfortable.

These children (I always think of them as such) are so dear to my heart. From the moment they were my students way back when, I understood that these special kids were unique, gifted, and so kind. Now, Katie, Alex and Maddy are still roommates, still lifelong friends. I rejoice to see them in their young adulthood. We are so interested in what they did during the summer and what they anticipate doing for their senior theses. We have observed their growing competence and confidence.

Like most young people, these are like our own children; they don't ever ask us about what is happening with us. I suppose this is because we in the older generation must be static and seamless. And who wants to hear about health and finance problems?? They depend on us to tell them if anything is 'happening'. It must be apparent to these young women that we are more wrinkled, more gray.

During the weekend we talk a lot. The girls were here for a dinner when we had neighbors over. It was a lovely evening.

We expect to see some or all of these young women here as they need the quiet space in the guest house to write their theses. And I'll love thinking of them there and I'll also know they need no attention. What a gift our friendship is!