J I T

I come in contact with approximately 300-400 people a day. It's part of my job. I get to interact in their experiences and lives for "smatterings" of moments. Then there are probably another 100-200 people I know. These people are in my life for various reasons and I see them occasionally for diverse reasons. My close circle of people include about 25-30 people that I see or hear from on a daily or weekly basis. We either work together or are related. Then there are those very special friends that I hold dear to my heart. They are there when I need them. Time is not a constraint. Calling them at 3 in the morning is more than okay with them. And I know that even if they get upset with me, they still love me. Ruth is one of those people.

We first met when I started teaching kindergarten in a private school on the other side of our state. (That was in my other life) Her older daughter was in my first class. We were instant friends and have been for some 30 years. Even when I just see her name pop up in my personal e-mail box, it makes me smile.

Ruth is unique. She is intelligent, level headed, creative and so talented that she could have easily been a professional musician. I consider myself so blessed to call her my friend. We have been through a lot during these years - My divorce and remarriage to the same man; my parents illnesses and subsequent deaths; my first husband dying; her parents dying; me changing jobs several times; me moving to O-town; the marriage of both her daughters; her becoming a grandparent; my recent remarriage; and at the top of the list, her survival from breast cancer.

We have a survey that we do in my department. It's called "J I T" or Just In Time. It is a survey to capture something that our guests have just experienced and to get their reaction immediately after the event. Ruth is one of my "J I T" friends. She always calls or writes or visits Just In Time. She sent an email today to see if we can do dinner this Wed. We'll meet half way between our two places of living and get to spend some time yaking and catching up. But best of all, she will listen to all my "woes" and make me feel better while she listens. That is just what she does, and she does it well.