The company makes the feast. How wonderful it is to find words that so readily convey the sentiment behind the rituals of the meetings of Circle of Friends, International. I cannot think of words more suitable for the experience of dining with my circle of inter-generational friends at ad hoc times during the year and then at our scheduled annual Christmas celebration the Sunday before Christmas. Over the years, getting together with friends to share a simple meal has become a central part of my life; an activity that brings in great dividends beginning with the anticipation prior to the event and the actual event of breaking bread together in fellowship. At times like these our conversations will stretch the gamut of easy talk, to nonsensical dribble to deep examination of life altering issues sometimes centering on hard to swallow truths that we realize somehow must be told. At other times, it is the easy camaraderie of catching up or just drifting in and out conversation over the course of a meal. But always, the easy familiarity is reassuring of the connections we have forged and the central force of friendship in our lives. We talk about the challenges of being creative, of working to realize our goals, facing the realization that change is imminent, and that whatever the next step may be, we do not have to tackle it marching single file.
I especially enjoy these interludes as they help to bring clarity to the journey. On one such afternoon in April, a small group of us got together and laughed and chattered like middle schoolers over drinks and a diverse and resplendent array of appetizers, all the while teasing each other, and laughing insanely at each other’s jokes ….yet experiencing the empowering effect of the circle of friendship to uplift and help us to face the questions, If not now, when? If not you, who? This kind of fellowship becomes a feast of the senses; a gentle reminder that we have the ability and the experience to become the protagonist of our own development and to write our story as we have dreamed it.
Circle of Friends, International 
Marva, Your evocation of the warmth and inspiration of getting together with women friends left me smiling. The company does make the feast, and your circle of friends is fortunate to have your company. Thank you for extending the gift to the rest of us via this blog!
Marva, so glad you’ve returned to blogging here. Thanks for including us (your LifeWriters Circle/Story Circle) among your circles of friends!
Susan, thank you. The conversations of the Story Circle’s Life Writers Circle is a gentle reminder of the empowering effect of women’s voices lifting each other up in simple ways and words.I already feel a particular strength developing from being a member of this group. The camaraderie is priceless!
Oh Ms. Marvalous you are so right! I treasure time with my women friends including those at Story Circle Life Writers and am so glad to now count you as part of that circle. Keep posting, these are great!
Friendships that expand globally & across time & space are forever to be cherished. Reach out & touch a friend.
I so agree that friendship is soul nurturing, Marva. Thank you for this affirmation.
I challenge you to step BOLDLY out of your comfort zone. Share a unique experience with a friend that you normally would not entertain. Boldly enough to allow yourself to indulge. Grab a snorkel and head to the reef, parasail! Live a moment in the life of a friend.
Friends feed off each other, whether they are positive or negative. They can take you out of a confort zone and push you to do new things.