Other than several online Zoom meetings, these “college girlfriends” had not seen each other since 2019 when they met at the University of Pittsburgh to celebrate their 50th anniversary of friendship. They always kept in touch by phone, email, and text, but had not been together in almost four years.
Earlier this year Cheryl Manning told a couple of her friends that she wasn’t feeling quite like her usual self. They all talked and decided they needed to come to Cheryl’s rescue, and they did. During the first weekend in May, they came by train, plane, and automobile.
The weather for the spring weekend was absolutely perfect and supported a full agenda of activities, laughter, and reminiscing. The group attended the excellent Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken concert at the Jefferson Center; toured the City; visited the Roanoke Star; and tested their luck at the casino. A highlight of the weekend was a gathering at Cheryl’s home so that her college friends could meet her Roanoke family and friends. Rev. Donald Shovely, pastor of Jerusalem Baptist Church, came to Cheryl’s home and offered a special prayer of protection over the group.
The weekend ended with lots of hugs and an appreciation for this longtime friendship. Everyone agreed that the group rescued each other by reconnecting in person.
