Class of 1940

 

The three friends got together for lunch. As they had many, many times before. They became friends in high school and maintained their friendship to this day. Not an unusual story, except for the fact that the the friends are Virginia Goering, Vera Sims, and her twin sister Viva Froemming. They are each 101 years old, and their high school days were over 80 years ago. Theirs was the class of 1940.

Friendship, true friendship, withstands the test of time, distance, and anything else life can throw at it. These women are living proof. They all married, had children, and saw their husbands leave to fight in World War II. Yet their friendship continued. 

Looking at old photo albums they recalled football games, baseball games, old flames, and dancing. The stuff memories are made of. Getting together over the years to play bridge they talked about marriages, children, death of loved ones, and aging. They saw other friends from those days pass much earlier.

Today, one still lives alone and winters in Arizona, one has sight and hearing problems, and one has memory problems, but they come alive with memories when looking at the black and white photos of young, smiling faces brimming with enthusiasm and potential. 

The Future

While the ladies eat their pizza and reminisce about the past, various family members sit close by forming the next generation of friendships between the families. The ladies are living proof as to the importance and value of relationships throughout our lives. According to Harvard Health: 

Social connections like these not only give us pleasure, they also influence our long-term health in ways every bit as powerful as adequate sleep, a good diet, and not smoking. Dozens of studies have shown that people who have satisfying relationships with family, friends, and their community are happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer.

How many relationships do you have in your life? How many lifelong friendships? If you think it might be good to up your relationship game, you might want to take a few tips from these amazing friends. Just keep reading…