Friends know that I love to read almost as much as I love to travel. Often it is my substitute for travel when I’m between trips. I love to read books that take place in far off countries and that introduce me to new cultures. Right now I’m reading a book that takes place in the far off country of …well, Chicago (neither far off nor a country). A book club selection from a few meetings ago that I didn’t get around to finishing called “The Time Traveler’s Wife”. I’m about 75% of the way through it and, all in all, it is a pretty interesting read. One of the main characters is a man who somehow defies one of the key laws of nature and can travel through time. Not going back to the Victorian era or ahead to when people can have a MARS stamp in their passport – just to other times within his own life span.

It is funny that as I am winding down my current trip, I kind of know how he feels.

For this trip I don’t get any closer to time travel than the 3 hour difference between Los Angeles and Winston-Salem, NC, but mentally I do go back in time again. I am hear to visit my dearest and closest friend from my childhood growing up in Pittsburgh, PA. I met Cathleen when I was in second grade and she was in fifth and we endured countless suburban “adventures” together over the years. Barbies tosses, bench talks and baton twirls just to mention a few. She is now living in Winston-Salem, NC with her husband Marty who always makes me feel just like a part of the family and her sweet, bright and Lego-addicted son, Jordan (age 7).

It has been nearly 6 years since I last visited Cathleen and this is the first time I’ve seen her since she began her battle with breast cancer over 18 months ago. I’m very excited to say she looks great, is in good spirits and has been getting positive reports from her doctors. I love her and I’m so glad that my dear Taurus friend used her stubbornness to not let this disease get the better of her.

I’ve had a great time laughing about all of our silly times growing up in the North Hills (and she has the pictures to prove it!) and catching up on current events and all that we’ve accomplished over the years (you hear that, Cath?). It was a great surprise to realize her parents recently moved from Ohio to live just 15 minutes away from Cathleen. Seeing Mr. and Mrs. Killeen after all these years made me feel like a kid again. They look and sound exactly the same. Her mom is still baking and doting on kids and dogs (though she did shock me by being quite the card shark over a game of Phase 10). Her dad is still teasing me mercilessly and pretending he’s grumpy even when we know he’s not. And to top it off her older sister Christine came up from Charlotte with her family. I could have been back on Kings Point Drive.

Aside from laughing about the past, my other main activity was eating everything I should not be eating. Pancakes, cookies, pizza, Mexican food, cheesy veggie burgers – and then the Saturday night highlight…a trip to Dunkin’ Donuts (which we don’t have out on the West Coast). The only thing that may have saved me from exploding was a brisk, long walk through the wooded park near Wake Forest University and a few laps/stairs at their stadium.

I’m off to the airport tomorrow to head back to LA. Its been a great weekend catching up with someone who is so dear to me. Someone who encourages me not to give up on my dreams and who is strong beyond belief.