People of West Virginia
A young friend invited me to her family dinner. When the subject of conversation touched Christmas, she said „That's always a great moment of the truth. With one look at the gifts under the Christmas tree, I learn who is cheap and who is my real friend.“ The people laughed, some loudly, some not so... I thought about the package of my favorite Vienna coffee that my kids send regularly from Austria. I intended to give it to her as a taste of Vienna. Sadly, I felt uncertain when I realized the package costs only 16 dollars, so the coffee stayed in my handbag.
The next morning, I had a dental appointment in the downtown area. I was just enjoying my breakfast coffee that stayed with me yesterday, when my other friend Janet called. "Radio reports say the access to the Interstate is blocked by a wrecked truck,“ she said. "Take a different way otherwise you might be late.“ Janet knew about my early appointment and also about my poor knowledge of WV roads and about my talent for getting lost easily. Yes, I would find myself in difficulties if I took the usual route to the downtown.
She called to make my life easier. I felt touched. Her gesture had no price tag but it definitely identified her as a real friend. Janet Billups, thank you for being the real one...