About 61 one years ago two little girls met and became "forever friends"
They met in a wonderful, mystical and magical place called Bynum.
Juanita was the oldest by 3 months to the day. Pam was the tallest and the bossiest.
They had other friends but for many years when you thought of Pam you would think of Juanita and visa versa.
It was a sad day when Juanita started to school and left Pam at home.
The things these two girls could think up to do would boggle the mind. Once they filled out an add in a magazine and ordered a washing machine. Seems like there was a phone call to Pam's house from the company but not sure. Pam ordered cards once and managed to sell some.
They were always forming clubs and the #1 rule would be "No Boys" allowed.
Of course this two young girls loved going to Bynum Baptist Church, Brownies, Girl Scouts.
Highlights of the year would be Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, summer and Vacation Bible School.
Pam and Juanita liked to play in Juanita's two older sister's, Pat and Gladys', make up.
One time in their early teen years they even fancied themselves "girl detectives" and spied on Juanita's bachelor neighbor. They climbed a tree right out side his window, as if he couldn't hear them from inside his "pasteboard" apartment. While they were in the tree this very ugly face raised up in the window. What did our "girl detectives" do? They jumped out of the tree, and left Pam's little sister Anita in the tree.
When they became teenagers they fought over the same boy. Will not put a name here. He may not know who he is.
At that time their favorite pass time became going to "Teenage" and dancing and boys, boys, boys.
They tried using mental telepathy to bring the boys we wanted to "Teenage" on Sat. nights.
Another one of their favorite things was taking the Greyhound bus to Anniston to go to the movies. They would just loose themselves in the glamour of whatever "picture show" they were watching. It was amazing how glamorous the ladies room at the Ritz became to them.
Then the magic ended. Pam moved to Weaver.
They did keep in touch off and on over the years. Pam moving around with her husband in the military. Juanita moving to look for a husband then moving back to Anniston.
A few times when Pam and her family would be in Weaver Juanita would visit. Once Pam and her mother visited Juanita at her apartment on Rocky Hollow.
Juanita moved to Montgomery. Sometimes when she was in the Anniston area she would call Pam's parents and ask about Pam.
Once walking through a store Juanita stopped and looked at card. One special card caught her eye. It was a black and white card of two little girls walking hand in hand. She said to herself I want to send that card to Pam. Juanita bought the card, called Pam's parents and got Pam's address, mailed the card.
A few days later Pam called Juanita crying and said let's don't ever loose touch again. That was maybe 15 or 16 years ago.
Pam was living in VA at the time and Juanita in Montgomery, AL.
Not long after that phone they met in Jonesboro, GA to attend a wedding.
The two little girls never lost touch again.
When Juanita bought her house almost eight years ago Pam and John came to Montgomery and helped her paint.
Juanita has been over to Pam's in Fayetteville, GA for the two somewhat mature "girls" to attend shows at the Fox. Not even the Fox can dull the memories of the early days at the Ritz in Anniston, AL
Just in the past few years these "forever friends" have shared laughs, tears. losses of loved ones, sickness.
Last year Pam and John invited Juanita to go to the Eastern Caribbean with them. So here the two friends plus one take off on a seven day cruise. Pam and John are seasoned travelers, Juanita's first cruise, first time out of the country. It just seemed appropriate for Juanita to be sharing this with Pam. Still not as glamorous as a summer afternoon when you are a fanciful teen at the Ritz Theater. Pam hasn't changed. She is still bossy