Day 35: Everyone Needs a Nancy

CeCe’s Musings

Day 35

Everyone Needs a Nancy in Their Life

Today I took a walk with my friend Nancy. Yes, she lives in Northern California and I’m in the St. Louis area, but through the miracle of air pods and cell phones, we were able to catch up as I circled my neighborhood on a sunny yet chilly Midwest day. She admitted she was still in her robe, but I encouraged her to stay warm while we chatted.

I’ve known Nancy since 1978 when we both pledged Alpha Chi Omega as sophomores. We spent the next three years of our college experience quaffing cheap beer as we gave out fake names at local bars. Our junior year we lived across the hall from each other, and at one point were pulled in front of the standards board because we were making too much noise late at night. I cried, but Nancy yelled and stood our ground. We were given a stern warning and allowed to keep our gold pearl-studded harp pins.

After college we went our separate ways, she to Dallas, Texas, while I got my first teaching job in Northern Illinois, but after two years in that small, stifling town, I decided to pack up my old Honda and drive south. Dallas was booming in the 80’s, and with our big shoulder pads and signature scents, we again hit the bars. Instead of seedy dives, we frequented classier establishments adorned with neon lights and occasional celebrity sightings, mostly professional football and basketball players. Our Dallas days were almost mythical, working our way through wanna be cowboys and hanging out at our apartment pools.

Four years later we again packed up our cars and moved to different cities. Nancy wanted to experience New York City, and I thought Chicago sounded fun. More than forty years later, our friendship has endured life’s challenges. We’ve navigated illnesses, walked through births and weddings and divorce, and laughed at all of life’s insanity. She is my therapist, my cheerleader, my lifeline, my dear friend. I am grateful to have her in my circle of amazing women. I wish everyone had a Nancy in their life.

(Someday ask her about when she had to take me to vote before we went out to the bars. It’s a good one. There’s also the time she killed all of my stuffed bears. Oh, and when we got lost in the back roads of East Texas on a spring break trip. Once again….life’s insanity.)

My son and daughter-in-law live in the Bay Area, so I get to see my Nancy at least once or twice a year. This photo is from a silly day we spent together last fall stumbling around Golden Gate Park and then driving down to Half Moon Bay for wine and a fabulous sunset. I adore this woman.