Reader’s Corner: I just read a book

Thank you to Qené Manon Jeffers for this guest post. 

A day with friends 

            I love Saturdays! I spent time with some friends today. It’s always good to see them, and it took only a few minutes of easy banter before we all settled in, comfortable with one another’s presence. Before long, it was as if we’d never been apart. It was as if we’d seen one another only yesterday. You know how it is with friends. We each have our stories to tell, talking over one another, teasing and laughing at crazy, outrageous things that happen in everyday life. 

The easy conversation and laughter relaxed me so that I momentarily closed my eyes to take it all in. As I listened to them talking, my breathing was slow, measured and deep. I buried myself in their words, and suddenly it was as if I was flying in the sunshine, out of my body, out of time . . . alone with them in another world. No one else mattered, and the wind became my wings. The sunlight was my strength. They lifted me up and took me far, far away to another place, another time when our lives were simple, slow, exciting and beautiful. They took me back to yesterday. My friends’ memories became mine. 

As they shared their stories, I felt like I made new friends with everyone they know, everyone they talked about. Oh, I knew them only for this moment, but it seems that I will love them forever. When they laughed, I laughed. When they wept, I wept. And when their lives crashed, and they could bear no more, I bore it for them and begged them to be strong, to live in peace, not to let go, to carry on no matter what. 

In just that short time, that short visit, we traveled to exciting places together—places I’ve never been. But they showed me the way, drew me into their circle, and introduced me to their friends. Their family became my family, and I joined in. We sat at the table as we ate and drank, discussing world affairs, politics and religion, husbands and babies, careers and dreams. They were loud and boisterous, sarcastic and funny. And I sat silently by, smiling, watching, listening, growing, learning, enjoying their lives and their stories. I am so thankful to know them. What kind generosity to share their lives with me. 

All too soon, it was over. It was time for my friends to go. 

Then I turned the page, and I closed the cover. 

I just read a book. 

Q has uniquely captured one of the many reasons reading matters. Read more of her musings in “A Peace Unfettered,” available at online retailers.