Turning 40

Weekends around here are slightly insane. We have baseball doubleheaders, practices, various family duties, general running around, and then collapse on Sunday night. Last weekend wasn't any different, but add to it, a graduation party and a suprise party!
So, needless to say, I was overwhelmed, but managed to put things into perspective and get my behind in gear and cover all my bases.
The best part of last weekend was goining to one of my oldest (ha, yes, now my oldest) and dearest friends' suprise party. Lisa. Lisa is like the glue that holds my friends together, we can miss anything, each as an individual, but when it comes to Lisa, most, not all, of us do go. Some of us, unfortunately, live out of state, so that wouldn't be a fault if they can't join us for a Lisa thing.
Anyway, let me back track, Lisa, Jon, Roseann, Debbie, Ricky(sorry Rick, you will always be "ricky" to us) we all go back a long way, I have known all since high school, but Ricky since kindergarden, and have the class pic to prove it!
But, we all were a group, for better and for worse. We cried in front of each other, we laughed in front of each other, and we were angry at each other at times. (SOrry I didn't mention, Debbie D, Maria(maris), Artie, Charlie, Tina, Cindy, etc. ) The group was large, and small at times, but somehow, we managed to stay friends. I hadn't seen my friends in years, but knew they were there if I needed them.
So,
Lisa was turning 40, her sister, Monique, who also went to school with us, threw her a party, nothing huge, but something fun. We sat, we ate, we drank, we enjoyed each other's company. There were also friends there that Lisa knew in college, and that we hung out with, then, but more after high school.
It was fun to sit on the deck with Jon, and enjoy his company. I felt like I was 17 again, with the wisdom of a 39 year old. We talked about things that happened then, laughed, and laughed. We also talked about what happens now, where we are, and how life has been and continues to shape us. Mind you, we aren't the philosophical types, but when we talk it just flows. We have the ability to make fun of each other, and just not feel stupid anymore. I am comfortable in my own skin, we all are.
Believe it or not, I think that my "group" helped me to do that. I always felt at home with them, whenever we were together, and I was able to carry that "home" with me into my adult life. I believe that is why I am not insane today!
anyway, Lisa turned 40 last week, Jon turns 40 in September, I turn 40 mid October, Deb turns 40 late October. Maria, turned 40 already, Jan did too, Charlie did too, and so did Ricky.
It really is just a number, and we will all go thru it together.