The gift of 90 minutes

It was supposed to be a quick visit … so I thought. Ninety minutes later, I walked out the front door of my friend Boots’ home and felt the weight of the past few days had lifted.

I was there to drop off a birthday gift for Boots Howard, who will be celebrating her 90th birthday in a few days. That evening, I was reminded that friendship is a gift that keeps on giving.

If you know Boots, you know that she is a woman of deep Faith. When you are prayed for by Boots, you know your name will be brought before the Lord by someone who knows the power of prayer. Boots reminds me so much of my mother, who seemed to have a hotline to Heaven.

For many years, Boots was my hairdresser. Let’s just say she holds a lot of secrets. Hairdressers may cut and style hair, but they are also therapists. A really good hairdresser knows how to tame an out-of-control hairdo and calm their client’s anxious heart. Boots was a master of both. Her beauty salon was called Beauty By Boots. Many a beautifully coiffed realtor, teacher, nurse, office administrator, or homemaker had monthly or even weekly appointments at BBB.

In the 1980s, Boots permed my hair to maximum volume and bold texture. Aqua Net Hair Spray held it in place like a helmet. Think Farrah Fawcett. I went rogue for a few months and tried a Dorothy Hamill wedge cut. It did not score well. Some of my younger readers may have no clue who those people are. Google them.

During some really painful years in the 1990s, Boots was my Sunday School teacher at the Nazarene Church. She sure knew her Bible and how to present its lessons. She made it so relatable. She knew that scripture needed to be studied not just by the mind but by the heart. She may have preached a sermon or two in that class.

Boots was born and raised in Kentucky, like my mom. She never lost her sweet Southern twang.

In the 90 minutes I was there, we laughed, and we wiped tears. Our hearts had a good chat.

Happy 90th birthday to the lovely Boots Howard! (Photo provided)

When I arrived, she had just finished mowing her yard. Yes, she still mows her own yard, albeit with a riding mower. She isn’t tiptoeing toward 90; she’s more like skipping. I want to be like Boots when I am 90.

Whenever I speak at women’s events, I often talk about Naomi and how she shared her wisdom and faith, and possibly even flirting tips, with Ruth. There is something special about an older woman’s wisdom that should be shared with younger women, even those in their 70s.

When I stopped by Boots’, I came to give her a gift, but I left with one. I received encouragement and a genuine hug. I was reminded of how valuable friendship is.

Happy Birthday, Boots, and I’m sorry your soup beans and cornbread got cold.

Readers, when was the last time you sat down with an older friend and, when you left, felt the weight of life’s issues had lessened? Perhaps you should pay them a visit.

Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). She is the recipient of the Reporter’s Spring 2025 Ink-Stained Wretch award. Visit janethartleonard.com. You can purchase her book “When the Hart Speaks” at amazon.com/dp/B0B1C7QKF6.