As the readers of Wendi’s Weekend Trips and Whatnot know, I love to go new places and try different things. However, there is something comforting about doing that which brings connection and grounding to a soul. For me, that is spending time with family and friends. I had the chance during a recent day off, to enjoy some down time with special people in my life.
Breakfast with Nancy
Nancy Green and I met in 2003. That is when my husband, Bobby, and I moved into the area and began attending the church that Nancy and Karl, Nancy’s husband, were members. Karl invited us to the Koinonia (coin-oh-nee-ah) Sunday School class after the first morning service. While I was ready to leave, Bobby said that we should attend the class because we were invited. From that day until this, we have been members of the Koinonia class and the bond between Nancy and I was forged. Nancy and I have seen many changes over the 16 plus years we have known each other. Nancy lost Karl. We both lost pets. Through it all, we try to stay connected. One of our favorite ways is to enjoy a meal, usually breakfast, together. So on my recent day off, I asked Nancy to join me at Farmer Boy in Wooster, Ohio. We spent a good hour and a half catching up on each other’s lives. (Something you don’t get to do when you are sitting in a church service or Sunday School class.) For me, this was the perfect way to start a day of recharging with friends and family!
Chilling with Judy
Judy Hinkle has been one of my closest friends. We met when I started working at The Village Network (known as Boys Village at the time) in 2005. I could tell from the start that Judy was a special person. She is kind and generous and tender hearted and loving and caring. She is just someone you want to be friends with. I’m thankful that she allowed me this privilege. Judy and I would talk every day and often have take our lunch time together. Judy taught me so much and I miss our daily check-ins. Like Nancy and me, Judy and I have been through quite a lot. She isn’t working at The Village Network any more and I definitely miss her there, but we do try to get together as often as our schedules will allow. Deciding to spend a part of my day off with Judy was definitely a great idea. Even though it was just hanging out at her home, it was so great to catch up and talk without having to rush our time because I had to get back to work. It helped me remember that friendships made in a work environment can extend beyond and after that commonality is gone. I’m super glad Judy feels the same way!
Engaging in a Trivial Pursuit with Mom and Dad
I would say that my parents are probably two of my best friends, after Bobby, of course! So on a day off, it was a no brainer to make sure to spend time with them. We enjoy much of the same things, which makes sense because they raised me. Plus, with them, I can be who I am, warts and all. They obviously know me well. We often will go to the movies together, especially on a Sunday or Tuesday because of the lower prices, but this day off I wanted to do something different. I don’t know how many times the three of us have sat around the kitchen table playing Trivial Pursuit. It is one of our favorite games to play. My dad is so smart! Years ago we instituted new rules for our family when playing the game. Whenever any of us got an answer correct we earned the coveted color pie slice to fill our token. That is any of us, except Dad. We made him move his piece around the board, answering questions until he landed on the spot where the rules say you can legitimately earn the pie slice. While that might seem unfair, my dad still won the game most of the time. On this day off, we all agreed that we would extend our rule to Dad, too. I guess I was feeling a little cocky. I am older and I thought I knew more. Well, we went through the game and Dad still won! It was a hard fought battle and Mom was neck and neck with him for a while. Yet, in the end, his superior mind won out and he was victorious. Honestly, I don’t care who wins. I just enjoy hanging out with them.
Checking in with Randi
Before leaving Lodi, where my parents live, I stopped in to see my sister, Randi. It was just a quick visit. I was dropping off something she had left at our parent’s house. But it is always nice to see her and her kids — the four legged kind — Nelson, the border collie and Noodle, the 7 pound mix breed (Randi can tell you exactly what) are always fun to visit. Nelson and Noodle announced my arrival loudly. Randi and I chatted and discussed some current events in our lives and then I was off. It is nice to be able to call my sister a friend as well.
Relaxing with Owney and the babies
After the day of visiting, I was glad to make it home for a time of relaxing with Owney, our terrier/beagle mix and our cats, Mr. Thomas, Nikki and Izzy. Of course Bobby was there too!
Again, while I love to travel and see new things, I also love spending time with family and friends. I hope that by sharing my day off experience, it will inspire you to reach out to your loved ones. We never know how long we will have anyone in our lives. Let’s remember to be thankful for them and cherish every moment we have.
