St. Patrick's Day, Irish Lamb Stew & Friendship

St. Patrick's Day is a special day for me because it is the birthday of my oldest friend whom I have known since birth.  Her mother and mine were pregnant together and we were born three weeks apart and with our houses being back-to-back with each other, we grew up together.  We went to Sunday School and were confirmed together.  We attended the local primary and high school together.  We played "dolls" and "paper dolls" and climbed trees and walls and we reserved a special place for each other at our respective birthday party tables.  We both married into Irish families and learned how to make Irish Lamb Stew (click here for recipe) and despite moving 10,000 miles away from each other, and not having seen each other for over sixteen years, we have kept our friendship alive by correspondence, phone calls and in our hearts.

Today, St Patrick's Day, I wish my dear friend a wonderful birthday and dedicate this friendship poem to her.  A Lifelong Friendship

(it's in pdf format so it will take a few seconds to open)