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I think about a lot of things. I have opinions about most. What good are thoughts and opinions when not shared? I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours. Issues related to education really get me going. I love to dine on the hot potatoes of school accountability, standardized testing, corporal punishment in schools (outlawed in only about 28 states), scrutiny of school staff before hiring, teacher performance standards, and the weeding out of bad apples in education. I promote fitness as the miracle drug most of us seek. No pill will duplicate the health benefits of working our bodies. I strongly support the adage, "Don't breed or buy while shelter animals die." The world does not need more puppies or kittens. A visit to a local shelter is proof. I consider myself schooled in basic personal money management, the entrepreneurial spirit, domestic adoption, motherood in middle age, Baby Boomer issues, Southern culture, and how to cook a meal in twenty minutes. Whew. So, where shall we start?

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Can sixth graders stay friends for life?

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Contributed by: Barbara Neff on 5/8/2008

I cannot read Gladys Mercer's YourHub.com blog without finding myself appreciating something at the end. Gladys has a way of sharing her life with readers, a manner that draws the reader into something heartfelt.

This week Gladys wrote of a recent visit with an old friend from grade school.The two have been friends sixty-six years.When I read her story, I was struck by a coincidence in my life.

A dear friend from Little Rock is in Colorado Springs this week, Cindy Crone. Cindy and I met at Cloverdale Elementary School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1966. Cindy has been in Colorado Springs this week attending a symposium on Fetal Alcohol Exposure.

Cindy is a leader in her field. Nearly two decades ago she founded one of the world's only treatment centers at the time for pregnant women addicted to drugs and alcohol. Before Arkansas Cares, the name of the center still in existence today, Cindy was a registered nurse in Little Rock who discovered no resources existed for certain patients, some of society's most fragile--pregnant women under the spell of chemical dependency.

I drove to Colorado Springs last night to see Cindy. We dined at the Tavern restaurant at the historical Broadmoor resort and walked the elegant grounds. We caught up as much as possible in the few hours we had together.

Cindy's son has graduated from college and landed his first job with an investment company in Little Rock. One mutual girlfriend from high school is going through a divorce. One male friend is married for the first time and has started a family. Yet another former classmate is gaining national accolades as a journalist.

When Cindy talks of the efforts of Arkansas Cares over the years to reach out to female addicts with children, her words are steeped with passion and compassion. Arkansas Cares helps people have productive and rewarding lives, people who might have had no life at all without the support of the program.

When Cindy and I get together, which is rare these days, we laugh at some of the same old stories. We recall sleep-overs as preteens, antics during our school years, trips we took with our church group. Cindy and I shared just about everything before we were women. To borrow a wonderful descriptor from Gladys, "Finally, we had to grow up.".

The friendship Cindy and I formed in 1966 between two spunky eleven-year-old girls has survived many tests, and I am deeply thankful.

To read Gladys Mercer's thoughts on a friendship that has lasted sixty-six years:

http://denver.yourhub.com/Arvada/Blogs/Family-Community/Home-Family/Blog~463702.aspx

To read more about Cindy Crone and the program she founded, Arkansas Cares:

http://www.uams.edu/today/2002/052302/arcares.htm

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Showing 1-7 of 7 comments

Submitted By: Barbara Neff

posted on 5/14/2008 @ 3:16:24 PM

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Mick, the thirty year reunion should not be missed, in my opinion. You are right about "full circle".

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Submitted By: Michael Rule

posted on 5/13/2008 @ 8:54:14 AM

Rated Blog Entry

My30th HS reunion was a great catch-up with old friends.....seems we have come full circle

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Submitted By: Nikki Britain

posted on 5/11/2008 @ 10:04:52 AM

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I'm so glad you had a chance to catch up with your old friend!

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Submitted By: Barbara Neff

posted on 5/9/2008 @ 7:59:20 AM

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Yes, these long time girlfriends tend to share a LOT of history and confidences. I am not sure how I would have navigated the child-to-adult waters without friends such as Cindy.

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Submitted By: Gail Kirkegaard

posted on 5/9/2008 @ 7:33:55 AM

Rated Blog Entry

I still keep in touch with a friend I've had since third grade! I haven't actually seen her for almost ten eyars. She and I need to get together again.

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Submitted By: Katherine Jerome

posted on 5/8/2008 @ 9:05:55 PM

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Congratulations on this special friendship Barbara. My dearest friend has been part of my life for many years, and I always joke that she knows everything about me, and still remains my friend.

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Submitted By: Tom Treloar

posted on 5/8/2008 @ 4:04:29 PM

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The writings of Gladys always brings back of memory of my life.

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Showing 1-7 of 7 comments

CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Barbara Neff

Castle Rock , CO

Barbara Neff has posted 121 blog entries and 770 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. Barbara Neff 's average blog rating is 4.97.

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