Posted by Bridget Verdun on 3rd Feb 2025
Magical Moments
As we step a bit further into 2025 I can't help but be excited about my 50th birthday this month which has me thinking about many of you who have made my life rich with wisdom, creativity, adventure and love. Reflecting on relationships that are such gifts reminds me of an extraordinary experience I had on Labor Day this past summer here in Harbor Country, that serendipitously happened to be a gift in itself. It was the evening of Labor Day and a dear friend who was turning 76 asked me to join her for dinner on a rooftop in New Buffalo. As she and I sat watching the sunset we happened to notice a couple with a beautiful service dog dining next to us. We commented on the pup which led to a conversation about the beach which unfolded into meeting Cathi who shared her spectacular story of survival. You see, she and her husband had come to the area for a weekend as they had done each year since the summer of 2016 when Cathi rented a cottage along the shore where 97 of her closest friends and family came to say goodbye. Cathi, diagnosed with a rare and aggressive stage 4 endometrial cancer wasn't supposed to survive...but she did. As she described that summer she shared just how much it meant to spend time connecting with those who meant the most to her. She said on days when she felt strong enough she'd send letters and cards to friends and they would write back which in itself brought much joy. At that moment my friend Marylin exclaimed "Bridget here has the most magnificent card line, you should check it out!" AND... as I typically carry an Occasionally Speaking card or two in my bag, I handed one to Cathi that read "my friends are my estate." Cathi stepped back and said "I know YOU! I've sent your cards and just yesterday I purchased them at the Whistle Stop in Union Pier!" It was unbelievable yet amazingly magical and just so good. We hugged, we exchanged phone numbers and promised to stay connected and then we parted ways. As I left the lakefront that night I couldn't help but feel grateful for the reminder from the universe of just how important our relationships are in this journey called life, and truly... how our friends become our estate. Read Cathi's inspiring story from the Chicago Tribune and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Mary Schmich, here. |
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View Featured Card: "my friends are my estate." |