wednesday, October 1, 2025 Quote of the week

“Variety is the spice of life, that gives it all its flavour.”

William Cowper

The middle school years can be an arduous time for families. Teens are in one of the most transitional times of their life. Personalities are tried on like clothing as they change from one person to another within hours. Parents, on the other hand, struggle between how much freedom to allow and when to pull the reins in tighter. Psychologist Ron Taffel speaks of what this time of life is like when he said, “Adolescence is not about letting go. It’s about hanging on during a very bumpy ride.”

Those years for me, however, were glorious! I became close friends with four other girls during middle school, and we were inseparable. Ice skating every Friday night, the mall on Saturday nights, sleepovers, movies…we lived so fully. When my friend Carol began working as a cashier at Ben Franklin, a novelty store down the street, we would all walk down to get her at the end of her shift. Even though it was already dark, we had no fear because we had each other.

Carol’s mom taught us that friendship was important to keep balance in our lives. Before we’d leave, she’d remind us that if something happened along the way, one of us had to scream, one fights, one remains calm, and the other runs. Funnily, we all knew who’d raise their hand to claim each job!

If friends were spices, and we followed Mrs. Blaho’s analogy, who are your spicy friends? Who is your habanero, the friend who will be the voice when you’ve lost yours? Once garlic is added to a dish, other flavors succumb to its strength, so who would that friend be who'd fight for you? We all need a reasonable friend, a soothing one who holds us just as a mug holds warm, honeyed ginger tea. If you’ve ever planted mint, you know it’s best contained in pots because once it takes root, it runs quickly throughout the garden.

Anna Taylor said, “Some people arrive and make such a beautiful impact on your life, you can barely remember what life was like without them.” I love those girls and the times we shared. Throughout the years, my spice cabinet now overflows! “Many people will walk in and out of your life,” Eleanor Roosevelt said, “but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.” We keep in touch briefly on social media, but I am blessed that Carol’s life and mine have continued throughout the years. I will always hold Lynda, Joann, and Loretta in my heart.

Oh, our poor mothers; we drove them crazy!

Storylight A transformational journey SHARON M WIBLE

wednesday, October 1, 2025 Quote of the week

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