The Power of Friendship

This year at Avila’s homecoming, we celebrated the 50th reunion of the class of 1958. In addition to being a fun and spirited group, they were a class that developed and maintained deep friendships, friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Here is the story of one such group.

The Supper Club

Two lived in the nurses' dorm and two commuted. Most were from the Kansas City area, but one came from Georgia. Two studied nursing, one business education, and one teaching. A friendship was formed playing cards between classes and smoking, both of which was frowned on by the Sisters; perhaps that was half of the fun. They graduated and married, mostly boys from Rockhurst, but the friendship remained. For almost 50 years they’ve met monthly, or as often as their busy schedules would allow, in the “Supper Club,” sharing friendship and the unfolding stories of their lives, of children and grandchildren of work and success, moments of happiness and times of trouble. Some left the area and others joined. They have served together in the community and the community has been far better for their service. These bonds formed at Avila have been the threads woven together in the lace of their lives and we are the beneficiaries. During homecoming, they were honored as part of the class of 1958, but for Bobbi, Peggy, JoAnn, and Virginia their friendship is so much more.

It is friendships like these of the Supper Club that make a life that matters. My wife, Suzanne, and I were grateful for that dinner over the summer where we got to meet and experience the Supper Club first hand; it was truly a precious moment.