It is said that true friendship is often an undervalued relationship in today’s world. We all have lots of acquaintances—people with whom we work, or know when we meet at the grocery store, or greet at our children’s school activities, or call to over the back fence. In today’s fast paced lifestyle, it is indeed a blessing beyond measure when an acquaintance becomes a true friend. True friends are allies and confidantes—the ones whom you call to share either an incredible joy or a family crisis. True friends are the ones you let into the hidden corners of your heart. True friends are the ones to whom you tell your hopes, dreams, ambitions and regrets. True friends bring out the best in us. Within each P.E.O. chapter is the bedrock upon which we all build true strong friendships.
True friends are those closer almost than family; indeed, in P.E.O. we call them sisters. We value true friends and make time for them in our lives. In other words, we want to be there for them, and allow them to be there for us.
Like your summer flower garden or patio tomato pot, friendships must be tended and cherished. When we recognize true friendships in sisterhood and what they mean to us, we grow these relationships with an honest openness and sustaining encouragement. Yet there really aren’t any universal guidelines that apply to keeping friendships strong. Actually with most longtime friends, we can easily reconnect “right where we left off” if we have been absent from each other. We give our respected friends the benefit of the doubt and kindly understand their thoughts and actions almost as well as they do! We value both their intentions and actions. We identify with their strengths and weaknesses. We enjoy the color and beauty true friends bring to our own lives. Meaningful friendships stabilize us and give us hope. An enduring friendship, like P.E.O. itself, is an uncritical refuge of considerate love.
Summertime might offer more discretionary, flexible options to devote to dear friends. Be alert to opportunities for deepening friendships and be sensitive to the possibilities for new additional durable connections. P.E.O. social occasions place the emphasis on good spirited fun, enjoyment of satisfying activities and rejuvenating companionship. Strong local chapters nurture mutually satisfying optimism, trust and generosity among sisters—hallmarks of robust friendships.
Celebrate both your long term and budding friendships in your chapter family. True friendships are the very core of P.E.O. and for these unique and meaningful relationships with congenial women, we are very grateful.
On behalf of the Sisterhood, I thank Karen Browne, Delaware, and Julie Wilson, Oregon, for excellent service on the Cottey College Board of Trustees. Their dedication and leadership for the past seven years have greatly enriched our college.
Effective June 1 we welcomed two new trustees Mathilda Hatfield Hulett, past president Arkansas State Chapter and Peggy Bottorf, past president California State Chapter. Each has been elected to a seven year term concluding in 2018. We appreciate their commitment to Cottey and are confident they will serve with distinction.
Forward!
Elizabeth E. Garrels,
President, International Chapter
The place is here.
The time is now.
