How Lucky Am I To Have This 50 Year Friendship? — Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents

Let me tell you about my friend, Amy L. We grew up together in West Mifflin, kept in touch over the years. She landed in Upstate NY where she raised her two kids, now adults. She worked in the retail grocery world for like 20 years before pivoting to a civil service exam at age 50 and now working in a job she loves at a local university. She has a cat and a dog and a lot to offer this world. I adore Amy.

When I was h omeless last year, Amy contacted me quickly. We texted or spoke on the phone every week. She had been through a divorce so she commiserated with me. She has been a rock, a funny and sassy and smart as a whip rock for me.

So last week, USPS notified me that two packages were en route. I recognized her address and wondered what she was up to.

Magic. She was up to friendship magic.

Amy knew I have been sad and struggling with all of the things, especially some tough anniversaries this month. She worked magic. It took two boxes. One was filled with gold boxes containing every treat you can imagine. Gold being the 50th anniversary gift, right. The other box was filled with pretty floral throw pillows, a gold throw and a gold baseball cap urging people to be kind.