My friend Leslie

I had not met Leslie in person before Jane had dropped me off at Gite de Lestos in Montcuq. We had chatted and skyped quite a bit. During one particular conversation  I said "What if when we meet we hate each other?" and she replied  "I can tell you right now, that ain't gonna happen."My driver, Jane, pulled into Lestos and I recognized Leslie immediately, her hair down, her feet up, drinking a beer. Instant friend.  

Leslie is stronger and even more bull headed than I am. After all, she started out hauling 50 more pounds than needed and fighting her way over the snow in the Aubrac. In a few days she will have gone her first 500 miles. She doesn't like to hear my advice, or my Camino "teach to's". She does like to listen to my endless stories and all my singing.   She is in "saint training" for sure.  Today she told me I am the best friend she has ever had.  That can't be true, yet you do get pretty close when you walk with someone for weeks at a time.  We have shared a lot of our lives with each other.  I can't think of a better person to play in the mud with.  I loved it that there is actually someone this slowpoke could beat on the steep ascents. Sometimes we  both fall down and laugh so hard we can't get up.  Leslie and I have lived a million years of life together in 5  short weeks. 

So here' s to the girly girl Leslie.  

You are hereby entered into the Carol Clupny circle of lifetime friends.  You cannot get out no matter what shenanigans you may try to pull on me.  It just doesn't work that way.  Forever friends....Carol