Cafe Noir and Meilleurs amis

November, a time after Diwali and before Thanksgiving, a time with Meilleurs amis, at Cafe Noir, will remain etched in our hearts , until the next reunion . Why, we were even ambitious, to plan a grand reunion for our 50 th year, in 2027.

Catching up with one another, exchanging tales of yore, the ‘meet cute’ in our lives and our experiences. We talked about ailments, the cures, medication and meditation, yoga and Pilates, versus weightlifting and some adventurous ones, suggesting running and dancing . Cutting down on sugar intake and our favourite foods was mentioned only in passing, as we were gorging on the best French cuisine .

We talked about parents, the responsibility, and challenges of caring for them, and wondered aloud about what would be our situation when we grow old . But that was just a passing thought, for nothing could overshadow, the camaraderie we experienced. Some of the stories and incidents, we recounted, drew loud laughter around the table . Those seated close by, saw not eight elderly women, but a young and vibrant lot .

The highlight of the afternoon was, when Swati sprung a surprise. Like Santa, she whisked out bags, with special gifts for each of us . Yes, we need such meetings, with our Meilleurs amis, to renew our spirit, to drink from the fountain of our youth, once again. As we exchange our experiences, share our sorrows with friends, we feel not judged, but loved and the warmth of encouragement envelops us. Some of us meet more often, others far less, but let us always remember to rally each other .