We call ourselves the Board of Directors. Whenever any one of us has a serious, potentially life changing issue, we call a meeting. We also "meet" on birthdays, and last night to exchange holiday gifts and gossip. We are four friends who met through NAWBO, the National Association of Women Business Owners. Now we are as close as sisters - maybe closer. The oldest is in her late sixties and the youngest is in her fifties. It's a nice span of time and experience.

As hard as we tried, we could not stop the conversation from continually returning to the economy. We are all fearful. A sign of the times is that in the past we would have met at a posh restaurant and treated ourselves to cocktails and a lovely dinner which would probably have included wine and dessert. We would have exchanged gifts from some of the fabulous stores we have here in Las Vegas. Last night we met in Cindy's warm comfortable home, sitting around a wood fire sipping champagne and exchanging token gifts that cost little or nothing. And it was great.

Sheila is the oldest in the group and she always shares memories of growing up in New York, the youngest of a very large and very poor Irish family. They are funny stories. Actually, hilarious. She makes being broke sound like fun. Her stories also serve as a reminder that we are actually very fortunate now.

I left with a warm "hugged" feeling that lasted all the way home.

These are my Girlfriends. I'm pretty sure we can make it through anything together. There is a love so deep and a bond so tight, we will always be there for each other. There are all kinds of love, but the one between and among Girlfriends is unlike any other. It's a precious gift.