Treasured Companions
She reached across my sheet music to direct my attention to our next soprano line. A bit surprised at this bold new girl I had not met, I nodded a reluctant thank you. What began during church youth-choir rehearsal in 1960 between two strong-willed teenagers has endured as a profound friendship. Late-night giggles, dream-casting hopes of what the future might hold, shared faith in God, and Nancy Jo’s mother’s PB&J sandwiches sustained our unity despite different schools attended, as well as different states and countries lived in for the next several years.
Our lives paralleled many things, including a love of teaching. She taught English in The Hague, Netherlands; São Paulo, Brazil; and Aberdeen, Scotland. I taught history and French in Arlington, Texas. Vibrant letters filled with stories of her ventures abroad stirred my own thirst to travel. My dear friend’s fearlessness to embrace her dreams has been a constant inspiration for me to reach out for mine.
