CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

 

This week, the week of Thanksgiving 2024, a very interesting event surfaced that was not planned or expected.  It began with one simple phone call.

I was sitting in my favorite chair, reading, when my phone rang.  It was my friend and golf partner, Deb.  We visited for a few minutes and then she asked…”Have you seen or talked to Judy in the last few days?”  I had not.  Deb shared that she had texted Judy the night before and left her a voice message this AM.  Judy had not responded.  This was unusual because Judy is typically very prompt in responding to either.  We discussed the situation for a few minutes and then I offered to call Pat, who is also a close friend.

Pat had not heard from Judy in a few days.  So, I called Cecelia while Pat called Bonnie.  No one had heard from Judy.  So, this launched a circle of concern.  Judy lives alone and quite a distance from the rest of us.  She has some health concerns, but nothing actually critical, but as I’ve said before, you just never know.

So, this launched about a 3-hour time of wondering where Judy was and if she was okay.  Bonnie offered to drive to Judy’s.  Cecelia ended up calling a colleague of Judy’s and I’m not sure, but she may have called the police.  Deb called Judy’s niece, who lives in the condo directly above Judy, but she drives a school bus and it was driving time so she couldn’t answer her phone.

Eventually we found her, safe and sound.  She had had a busy day, did not have her phone around her for the day and was totally surprised, and I think a little embarrassed, by the commotion we all created.

But there is a moral to this story, and a very large element of thankfulness.  She has a circle of friends who were looking out for her.  A circle of friends, who were concerned and took action.  What more could anyone ask for??

Happy Thanksgiving…..in a very real way.