Destined to be Best Friends

(Left to right) Betty McDermott Hollar, 7 years old; Betty on bicycle; Kay Bishop Johannes, 7 years old.

I grew up in Charlotte in the ’50s and ’60s. My house was in a quiet neighborhood near Shamrock Gardens Elementary School. My fondest memories were made with my best friend, Kay Bishop. I remember the first time we met like it was yesterday. A family had moved in a few houses from mine.

Filled with excitement, I jumped on my bike and hoped I would meet a girl my age because I only had a brother. I saw a cute girl my age on her Schwinn bike.

Now this is the unique and special sign that I though destined us to become lifetime best friends, we had on the exact same outfit. The blouses had horse appliques embroidered on them with matching purple shorts. I perceived this as a “sign from the Lord,” that Kay was going to be my best friend.

This turned out to be true. We did everything together. At age 10, we pricked our fingers and shared a drop of blood. In our minds, we were now officially sisters as well as best friends.

For 58 years, we have shared our friendship. We will be there for each other through hard times and the fun. Our friendship is a wonderful blessing.

Betty M. Hollar, Bethlehem, a member of EnergyUnited