Women of today’s fast paced world have wistfully shared with me their admiration of the nine listed above and of the lifetime bond that they shared. How wonderful to have eight friends to travel the journey of life — from the first grade to the gates of heaven!
The stories of times that they shared are too numerous and varied to include them all here. I was told often of their daily walks to and from school. (The Coeur d’Alene Junior High School and the Coeur d’Alene Senior High School were located on 7th Street on the site of the current G. 0. Phippeny Park.) The girl who lived the greatest distance from school (Vicky Scott) would walk to the home of the next girl (Mildred Egbers) and they would stop by my mother’s home (Marabel Edmonds) to collect her. On they would go, as the group grew in size, until they reached the school. Louise Shadduck came from her family farm north of town, (Shadduck Lane in Dalton Gardens) and so she was exempt from this ritual. In the evening the group would again gather for the return walk home.
Maxine, Middy, Rosalea, Louise, Gretchen, Kathleen, Irene, Vicky, Marabel… those names are a litany for me. They create many a remembrance of joys and sorrows shared through the years. How sad for us that they are no longer with us, but how wonderful for them that they now are all together forever — with no time or distance between them. No more long distance telephone charges!
Most proud and fortunate Daughter of Marabel Edmonds Rodell,
Kathryn Rodell Hunt