WATERmeditation July 2026: “Friendship” with Jeanne Christensen
Follow-Up to WATERmeditation with Jeanne Christensen
Mon. July 13, 2026, 7:30 PM
“ Constant use will not wear ragged the fabric of friendship.”
–Dorothy Parker (1893-1967)
WATER thanks Jeanne Christensen for another insightful session, this time on friendship. She chose the comment from Dorothy Parker, “Constant use will not wear ragged the fabric of friendship,” as her theme.
The video for this session can be found here: July 2026 Meditation Video
Last month we heard from Cheryl Nichols. She used Mary Oliver’s poem “Mindful” as a springboard for our contemplation. Cheryl urged us to “swim in the now” as we make our way. Video and notes can be found at https: . Thanks to Cheryl for another meaningful session.
A land acknowledgement opened our session. We also mentioned that our current national situation will not last forever and should not have ever started. For a president to make billions of dollars in office while people can’t feed their families or put gas in their cars is to live with deep contradiction, evil. It must end.
Mary E. Hunt introduced Jeanne Christensen:
Jeanne Christensen is a Sister of Mercy who has a gift for friendship. She has been in WATER circles for some years now, has found friends, and is a friend here. I think that is the most important thing I can say about her. I treasure our friendship.
She is very actively not retired, working to end human trafficking and serving on boards and committees as needed in Mercy circles. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska, where she is active on Mercy social justice priorities that include women, environment, extractables, and the like. Jeanne is someone you want on your team.
We learned two months ago, in her Meditation of April 2026 (https://www.waterwomensalliance.org/april-2026-rest-in-the-time-of-chaos/) that Jeanne guards her rest and relaxation time. She entitled it “Rest in the Time of Chaos: It’s Mine and You Can’t Have It or Me!” She encouraged us to guard our rest time, recreation, vacation, nap times because they are so necessary to healthy living. It is not easy to do for the Type A’s among us, but she’s right, just as she will be right tonight in sketching the incomparable blessings of friendships.
Jeanne Christensen’s remarks:
“Constant use will not wear ragged the fabric of friendship.”
Dorothy Parker (1893-1967)
Several months ago, when Mary sent the dates for the upcoming mediations, I noted July 13 and asked to reserve that date. Then I asked, would friendship be an appropriate topic. Mary’s response? “Oh yes, I’ve written a book on friendship!” I hadn’t read it, but Mary was kind enough to send me a copy with an accompanying note that read: “You know a lot about this.” She was right. She portrays friendship as enlivening “fierce tenderness.” As we are reflecting tonight, think of women with whom you share friendship. Think of them by name. See their faces. How have they affected your life and you theirs?
Why did I want July 13 and friendship? Because it is the 83rd birthday of my dear friend Joan who is now widowed. We were six when we met in 1949 and began first grade together. To save you the math, that was 77 years ago. I was going to tell you our story which you might appreciate or not. Then I thought of my beloved Pat, my intimate companion of 39 years. She disappeared into Alzheimer’s and died in September 2024. Another great story. Thinking of my experiences as maybe unique, I found out very quickly they aren’t.
In early June, I was at a major parish fundraiser in which they honored the president (Heather) of our College of St. Mary. She had invited her long-time friend (Stephanie), a county court judge, to share our table of celebration. They met in 3rd grade in 1961, 45 years ago. I watched their interactions and knew how close they were – they resembled Joan and me in our relationship and interactions.
The next day, I stopped to greet one of our residents (who was one of my mother’s younger church friends). She introduced me to her two girlfriends who were visiting – yes, they’ve been friends for more than 40 years and were thrilled to be thought of as longtime friends! A month later, two visitors had come to play cards with one of our residents – their Friday morning ritual. These women have been friends for more than fifty years AND proud of it!
Lastly, in mid-June I participated in a four-day “Gathering of the Whole” where more than 500 Sisters of Mercy from the United States, Guam and the Philippines gathered while another 100 or so of our Sisters from Central and South America gathered in Panama City. Technology was extraordinary those days because we could communicate directly (visual and verbally) with those sisters. Also extraordinary was the vibrant aliveness of friendship! For me, having a long, heartfelt conversation with the only other sister still in community who entered the day I did 65 years ago! Our conversation picked up where we left off from our last one. Distance makes such in-person conversation infrequent. Everywhere I looked, I saw and felt friendships among all of us.
So, I say, “Stay aware! Friends are all around!” How many of us on this zoom tonight are friends? Aren’t we lucky? I am very blessed by mine – those who are living and those who are deceased. Friendships filled with “fierce tenderness.”
When I reflect on my friendships, the word that comes to mind is enduring – long lasting, caring, continuing through the good and the challenging times and across distances. It is endearing at the same time – affectionate, warm, fond, loving. And a third “e” word – friendship also includes endurance – to love and sustain the mutual relationship through stressful, difficult, sorrow-filled times without giving up.
During our reflection time, think of the women with whom you share friendship. Think of them by name. See their faces. How has enduring, endearing and/or endurance been part of your relationships?
Time for Meditation
IMAGES—Two pictures—two young girls, now two older women.
Omaha, NE, 1949
Omaha, NE, 2026
Among the comments that followed the period of meditation were these:
- One woman spoke of her cousins who are friends despite having grown in different ways in terms of religion and politics. Another spoke of in-laws who were friends among themselves and welcomed her into the group. Friendship is expansive and inclusive that way.
- Another mentioned the 60th reunion of a group of women who entered religious life together. What fun they had when they got together all these many years later.
- Still another who celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary described how a friend surreptitiously snapped a picture of a picture from her wedding album to share. Only friends can pull off things like that! “A friend is a sure safe shelter.” (Sirach 6:14).
- Jeanne said that she was attracted to this day, July 13, because it is the birthday of her friend Joan who is pictured above.
- One person allowed as to how this was the “easiest” meditation ever because she was able to write list after list of friends from many aspects of her life.
- A story about two Irish women with roots in Cork and Kerry depicted two friends from similar families. They were childhood friends and still treasure their friendship.
- Jeanne spoke of colleagues who become friends working on social justice issues. One of hers was on the screen.
- Cousins who become friends was a recurrent theme. High school friends also take on importance. This person said that hers are, “joined at the heart.” In enduring friendships, friends pick up where they left off. Later in life friendships can emerge from working for justice together.
- One person reported smiling through the whole meditation.
- We learned that lamps for two best friends can be set up through Wi-Fi so that one friend can turn on the light in the other person’s house to remind her that she is thinking of her. Check out these lamps—something new under the sun! “Long Distance Touch Lamps, Bedside Smart Table Lamp, 2 Pack | Enhancing Feelings, Long Distance Relationship Gifts, For Mother Dad Daughter Lover Friend”
WATER thanks Jeanne Christensen for being our friend and sharing her friends. Jeanne proves that “Constant use will not wear ragged the fabric of friendship,” as Dorothy Parker observed.
WATERMeditations will continue in the Fall of 2026. Thanks and warm wishes until then.