My daughter, Casey, is winding down the last few, lazy days of summer with her best friend Aliy. I can tell they’re really close because I’ve only heard from Casey when she decides to call me, which has happened just one time; all of the other times, I have called her. Yes, I fear I am becoming THAT mother.
Watching Casey and Aliy and their relationship reminds me of one I shared with my best friend, Marjorie Crouch, though she was a Crisp when I met her. We shared a lot, she and I, going from elementary to middle and part of high school together. That was in the 70′s, practically the dark ages, according to my kids. Here are three things I learned I could always count on my bestie for.. then and now.
THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
You know, I’m not even sure how Margie and I first met; it just seems like she’s been a part of my life forever. But I clearly remember this, the first day of high school. Going to a brand new school in Yuba City, California, it was going to be a chance for us to meet new friends. I was scared and excited; did I mention scared? I thought for weeks about my outfit, right down to the flower in my Afro. But for as good as I felt there was that nagging insecurity that comes with being a teenager. Margie banished that feeling right away. Upon seeing me in my cotton brown suit, she squealed with delight. She always knew just what to say to make me feel better. Still does..
TO KEEP A SECRET
Margie and I shared, not only a bunk but a secret at Woodleaf, the camp we all went to in the 6th grade. It involves this picture but even with that clue, I’m not sure she’ll remember. I remember because it was huge, something that worried me a lot and there was no one else I could share it with. Giving it to Margie was like whispering it into a safe to be locked away. She never uttered a word of it and now, since I doubt she remembers, the secret remains just that.
I wonder if she remembers the hot song that year…..
STRENGTH
My family moved away from Yuba City and from Marjorie, halfway through my freshman year. When my father told us we were moving I cried for what seemed like days. Didn’t he know he couldn’t split us up? Margie and I were both sad but we drew strength from one another. And you know something? Moving 60 miles away couldn’t break us up.
30-plus years haven’t either. Even thought we don’t get a chance to speak as frequently as we used to, we’re still close and I count her as one of my bestest friends in the whole world. A friendship forged over classes, camp, boys and Jethro Tull is not one that fades away. Ever.
I’m thrilled to be partnering with Hallmark in 2012 for its “Life Is A Special Occasion” campaign. Of course, the characters in my rantings are real and the opinions are all my own.
We do say ” A friend in need is a friend indeed” but has never happened with me and also I don’t believe in the word friendship anymore after some betrayals.
Top 10 Lessons I have Learned From My Friend, Rene’ Syler
1. Don’t just walk down the street, hurdle a few obstacles!
2. Laugh through your Thanksgiving Dinner and always invite friends –
your dad was SO FUNNY hee,hee,he, heee
3. It is okay to skip math center and spend twice as much time in the Language Arts center!
4. Pets mark the eras of our lives!
5. When you skip math center, you will have to make up for it later on …
6. Celebrate each others differences and accomplishments.
7. You might be better ready to tackle a challenge after you have taken a break….
8. Embrace who you are! Once you do the “right” others will too!
9. Never let a threat stop you if what you are doing is for the greater good!
10. One of the best sounds in life is a really loud contagious laugh =)
Print
Email
The power of good friendships: necessary for a healthy life!
We do say ” A friend in need is a friend indeed” but has never happened with me and also I don’t believe in the word friendship anymore after some betrayals.
Top 10 Lessons I have Learned From My Friend, Rene’ Syler
1. Don’t just walk down the street, hurdle a few obstacles!
hee,hee,he, heee
2. Laugh through your Thanksgiving Dinner and always invite friends –
your dad was SO FUNNY
3. It is okay to skip math center and spend twice as much time in the Language Arts center!
4. Pets mark the eras of our lives!
5. When you skip math center, you will have to make up for it later on …
6. Celebrate each others differences and accomplishments.
7. You might be better ready to tackle a challenge after you have taken a break….
8. Embrace who you are! Once you do the “right” others will too!
9. Never let a threat stop you if what you are doing is for the greater good!
10. One of the best sounds in life is a really loud contagious laugh =)
Beautiful!
I like Margie! <3
Her honest especially when I’m wrong. A loyalty to me. A listening ear with questions.