A poem

I’ve come so far from where I’ve been
Walked down those roads
I’ll never go again.
And as I smile and laugh inside
It’s taken hard work
And many tears to hide.
But now a new day calls my heart
And the joy bubbles up
From almost every part.
Oh yes, I have traveled near and far
Miles and miles from my heart
Now I all I want is where we are. – Ada

The Girls are Back in Town

We met when I was 12 I think. Seventh grade, when we were that awkward stage of in between – too old to be kids to young to be teenagers. Braces, bad hair, bad bangs, bad fashion choices, zits, and mismatched foundation when we snuck wearing make up. And many slumber parties, laughter, talking about boys, playing practical jokes and making plans for when we “grow up.”  Somethings never change, except now we can drink wine.

And I am going to visit her for the holiday.

Best friends are like that, and I am so lucky to have her on my side. And that is the thing about life – there is always a best friend with whom to share thoughts and make memories. No matter who you are, where you are or how old or young you are – there is always someone who has been there forever, and without whom you could not know life. There are people whose call you answer, no matter what time of the day or night the phone rings, and no matter what meeting you happen to be in. That friend who is there, no questions asked, and no judgement. But also the one who will kick you in the bum if you need it.

Where would we be without those friends?  I don’t even want to think about it. Because they keep us sane and yet don’t even bat an eye when we are crazy. We can call them tell them we have decided to sell the kids on eBay, and they tell us Etsy is better. We say we need a shovel for the ex, and they say they know the perfect place to hide the body. They are the first ones to cheer when we win, and are right there with us on the floor, with chocolate and tissues when we loose.

My bestie and I have been each other’s rock during hard times – break ups, make ups, deaths, job loss, bills, mid life crisis, mid twenties crisis, weddings, and more bad decisions than either one of us would like to admit…you name it, we have been through it together.

We haven’t seen each about 3 years, since right after my mother died. Yet we talk almost every night, and never spend more than a few days out of touch with each other. And I cannot wait!  It will be 4 days of fun, laughter, tears, planing, talking, wining, catching up and just plain living.

Life is short. Visit your friends often. Tel them you love them every time you can. This life is precious and you can’t take it with you. Make the memories, take the pictures and have stories you could never tell your kids and grandchildren. Know when to sit on the couch drinking wine, and know which one of you is Thelma. Because that is a life well lived and well loved.

Watch out AC, the girls are back in town…

Daddy Daughter Date

I was 13 when he first took me out. I was excited and couldn’t wait to tell him about my day and just get to know him better. He was my Dad, and he was taking me out to dinner on our first a Daddy daughter date.  I had never been out with him before and he was such a gentleman.

I remember how he opened the car door for me when I got in. And when we arrived at the restaurant, he insisted that I stay put until he walked over to my side of the car and opened the door so I could get out.  He opened all the doors for me as we went inside, and even pulled out my chair for me when we sat down.

As we were looking over the menu, he asked what I wanted. And when the waiter came, my Daddy told the waiter what I would have, followed by his own order. He told me that I looked pretty.  He asked about my day and what I was studying in school.  I asked him about his work and what all he did. We talked and laughed and he made me feel very special.

And when we left, he opened all the doors for me once again. He gave me a hug and thanked for a accompanying him to a great dinner when we got home. And I smiled and thought no wonder Mom fell in love with him.

My father taught me how a man should treat me. He taught me that night and by the way he always treated my Mom – with kindness, respect and dignity (she demanded nothing less). I remember my Mom asking me how the dinner with him was that night, and her smiling and telling me that yes, that was just like my father.

Dad was kind and unassuming, humble and had more integrity in his little finger than most people possess in an entire lifetime.  He was my hero, and always will be. And oh, how he loved my mother. Those 7 months he lived with me where hard, but the most precious gift as well. Spending that time with him was a gift. He was a gift.

My Dad’s birthday is coming up in just a few days, no doubt that is why he is on my mind. And I miss him so very much. Hard to believe that it has been 2.5 years since I last saw him or heard his voice, or held his hand. He would have been 83 this year.

My Daddy, my hero, my first love. The man who kept our family safe, who worked hard so we had whatever we wanted, and the man who loved my mother more than anything in the world. The man who just wanted me to pick up my shoes and not leave them in the middle of the floor. The man who wanted me to not put everything on the bottom shelf (as he called the floor), he man who wanted me to try not to be late all. of. the. time. And most of all, the man who loved me unconditionally, right up until the end.

Miss you Dad. Love you always. Thank you for everything.