Now That I've Found You

Blog soundtrack:



When you lose some, you can win some………….back again. This has been my experience the last month or so with old friendships.

As I wrote in a previous blog, I recently connected with several of my high school girlfriends. These lovelies include Cathy, Anne, Marcia, and Laura. And, this all happened via Facebook; indeed, good things can happen online.

After seeing Anne (see http://goddessofallthingslovely.blogspot.com/2009/07/love-train.html), I told her that I would try to get us all together. She thought it was a good idea, and within a week or so, I sent out a coordination email. In addition, I sent out “The Way We Were” photos. I seem to be the only one who had a camera then. But, I’ve always liked to take pictures, and I guess I did so even back then.

So, here…“Where’s Jean?” Yes, this is like “Where’s Waldo,” except I’m cuter and (hint!) I always seem to have my mouth open. :-)



And again…“Where’s Jean?”



When I was looking through my pictures, I found several of Melissa. She and I had been the best of friends from high school ‘til 1997. When I was going through my divorce to Nathan’s Dad, she and I parted ways. I hadn’t talked to her in over 13 years.

I looked at the pictures of her, I thought of the all thing things we did together, and I knew that even though we had parted badly, now might be the time to, well, make things good again. I mailed the “Lovelies.” By the way, that’s what I’m calling you women now! I asked if anyone kept in touch with Melissa, and if so to invite her. Cathy said she did, and Melissa was game for the reunion get together.

I have told you all before about how much I love Crane Beach. Well, during my teen and twenty years, I spent most of my time there with Melissa. And you know, every time I've gone there in the last 13 years, I cannot walk the beach without thinking about her.

Anyway, her Mom had this awesome bird’s egg blue VW convertible; however, the only thing that undid its awesomeness was that the heat was ALWAYS on. I remember on one beach trip, she found a squirt gun in the backseat that looked like a crocodile. She named him “Killer Croc.” We drove down Route 128 pointing him at people. Once, when I was at Brandeis, she even sent me a “Wanted: Killer Croc” poster. I spent about 40 minutes today in a 100 degree attic trying to find it, but I couldn’t.

Here are Melissa and I. I think we were 19 here. I just had my wisdom teeth out. That was a horrible freshman break. I had all four of my impacted wisdom teeth out and, right after that, I got mono!



So, I can’t find the “Killer Croc” flyer, but here’s an email from her that I printed out and saved all these years.

The subject is “Re: AWESOME-O-GRAM – PART III: The Awesomeness Returns”. Yeah, WTF? I’m SO sure I wrote that subject title! :-)

Anyway, this is Melissa’s reply to me, and it goes like this.

“God, one of these days, when I am not trying to get on a plane, I will make you up an awesome o gram. I think your talents are being wasted at that gin joint. You are an exceptionally creative and well spoken-written writer. You need to start working on a novel. It would be great. Write it about our lives, it would be a big seller. I AM SERIOUS!!! Your one and only Tuna Breath.”

She was right about my talent's being wasted at a gin joint; and, our get together next month would make for a great story/screenplay. Don't worry, Annie; I won't tell anyone about your Robbie Benson poster or Melissa's Jack Wild poster. Okay, I had the Muppets poster; I admit that! :-) God, I love you guys SO MUCH.

Today, Melissa wrote me an email. I was out cycling, and when I stopped at the 12.5 mile mark on the rail trail to turn around, I checked my Blackberry. I saw her note, read it, and I began to cry; in about ten sentences, she erased the last 13 years of me wondering why we ever came apart. I wrote her back, and I told her how much I loved her. And, I do, Melissa. I will sob when I see everyone on September 25th but especially when I see you; this I know.

We missed the last 13 years; but, I propose that we have a lot of fun making up for what we missed the next 13 years, okay, Tuna Breath? <3

Me ‘n the “Lovelies” will have a rockin’ good time on September 25th, I'm sure.

New blog soundtrack:



And if you should feel, the Earth move on that day, well, you’ll know why.

Note to All You Lovelies: Now that I've found you, I will never ever let you go. <3>
Another Pearls Make You Classy Tangent: I just wanted to present more evidence.

Me (before and after):



Will I Ever See My Son Again But Perhaps I Should Get Used to Not Seeing Him Anymore Tangent:
Nathan called this morning after sleeping over “Higsby’s house” last night.
I asked, “So, when should I come fetch you?”
He said, “Oh, well, we’re going to the lake.”
I said, “Okay, let me know when I should come and get you.”
About 5 hours later, he called again and said, “Mom, um, I’ve got my bike now, and I’m going to Sam’s.”
I asked, “Are you sleeping over there?”
He said, “I don’t know.”
I said, “Well, let me know either way. Do you need anything?”
Half of me wanted him to “need” something just so I could see him for 5 minutes, which was about all the time I saw him last night!
He said, “No. I don’t need anything.”
I said, “Be careful biking. I love you.”
He said, “I love you, too.”
He then texted me an hour later: “I’m sleeping over.”
Jeez. I forget what he looks like, though at 6’2”, I still remember he’s taller than me!
I love that boy even more. <3