That’s how many Christmases I’ve officially celebrated with my girls, my friends from way back. Our first Christmas together came about after we graduated from Secondary School. We wanted to create a tradition that would help maintain the friendship for a long, long time. Alas, the original group of nine has been steadily declining over the years either because we’ve grown apart (two of them) or because some have moved overseas (three of them). This year, there were only three of us at our annual Christmas dinner. Three. Granted, one was confined at home due to a recent op, so technically, there should’ve been four. But, still. THREE. We all agreed it almost felt like any other dinner with the girls…

I guess that’s what happens when life gets in the way, huh? We all grow up, have different priorities and somehow it’s no longer easy for things to remain as you wish for them to be. I used to have difficulties accepting this. I couldn’t understand why things had to change. Now I know that we’re still a tight-knit group and are fiercely loyal to each other. We just don’t have the means to be together.

I’m blessed to have this group of friends who are so loving, generous, patient, understanding, considerate and accepting of each others’ flaws. I love that we are so honest with each other. I love that we know each other inside out, and that we can easily share moments of silence. We have truly seen each other at our best and worst, and I can’t imagine what life would have been like without them.