Several years ago I belonged to RBI, Inc. – aka Rich Bitch Investors, Inc. – we were an investment club that met monthly, or bi-monthly depending on our moods, to invest some $, drink wine, eat great food and visit. Through the years our numbers dwindled due to members dropping out or moving and coupled with waning interest, we finally decided a few years ago to cash in our stocks and just meet once or twice a year to drink, eat and visit – we figured 3 out of 4 ain’t bad!
It has been a year since we gathered but tonight 7 of the 10 who are still in Springfield met at the Tower Club for drinks and dinner. I don’t recall any talk about stocks or investments but we sure did have fun going around the table and getting caught up on each others’ lives – illnesses, travels, weddings, new grandkids, retirement, health insurance – a full gamut of topics that revealed it doesn’t matter how often we see each other, the friendships are still rock solid.
I thought of how blessed I am with this group as I drove home and as I entered the house, the phone was ringing. On the other end was a friend with whom I played bridge for more years than we can remember – she moved away over 10 years ago but we still keep up through birthday and Christmas cards. She’s my one friend who doesn’t have email so periodically one of us will call the other and tonight I was the recipient of her friendly voice. We spent an hour catching up on our families, travels and the whole philosophy of life – and vowed that we will attempt to get together in 2008.
Again, I’m reminded that any time spent investing in friends will return dividends and gains far beyond anything the stock market could ever deliver. May you be so enriched with your friends.
Speaking of friends…Mary Lou Love said to tell you “hello.” I saw her and Susan at WinterFest.