I was listening to some guy on the radio recently, and he was talking about a friend he'd had for (gasp) over ten years! He was talking about it like it was a rare thing - something noteworthy. And I realized that it really is rare in many cases. People make friends in school, then leave them to go to college. Then they make friends in college and leave them to go to work. Work friends come and go. Neighbors come and go. A friend that lasts from childhood to adulthood is unusual.
And then I saw how incredible "lucky" I am... My oldest friend (that I'm currently friends with) has been my friend for 26 years. That's pretty remarkable, considering I'm 29! And others of my closest friends have held that place for over 20 years.
One of those is Grace, with whom I've been visiting for the past couple of days with Katie (another friend of 20+ years!). We haven't actually seen each other for three years, but slipped so easily into the old friend groove - first catching up on each other's recent doings, then moving on to such important subjects as CS Lewis, the evils of the culture's "follow your heart" mantra, 19th century religious figures... and Grace's dog (who's wicked cute).
What a refreshing, wonderful time we spent together! Let's hear it for childhood friends that make adulthood a joy.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
An UPDATE! (Gasp)
It had to come someday... And what better time than right now?!
Katie and I are on vacation at Myrtle Beach (happy siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh). We've been having an absolutely wonderful time, reading, sleeping, eating, taaaaalking, sleeping reading, eating and talking, sometimes in the condo, sometimes on the beach. Bliss!
The first evening we dove into the local culture in order to acquire some sustenance. We arrived at Walmart all innocence and naivety. I was totally unprepared for how different a South Carolina Walmart and a New Hampshire/Rhode Island Walmart are. Everything is loud and boisterous and bathing suit-y in a southern Walmart. I'm sure this is because it was not only Southern, but Myrtle Beachish (i.e. many vacationers). I was a bit overwhelmed, and happy to get back to our snug condo-on-the-sea.
It made me realize that I am a Northerner. There's just no getting around it. I'm familiar with the North. I'm comfortable there. I like the security of my privacy. I like the cooler weather (a lot!). I like the old trees and the old roads and the many storied houses.
But you know what? The South does have the North beat when it comes to lightning. Katie and I sat on the beach for a long time this evening watching lightning bolts on the horizon. They were impressive - the kind you see in coffee table books.
And really, I can't complain about any place that gives us the kind of vacation we've been having! So way to go South Carolina! You win my seal of approval (you lucky dog).
Katie and I are on vacation at Myrtle Beach (happy siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh). We've been having an absolutely wonderful time, reading, sleeping, eating, taaaaalking, sleeping reading, eating and talking, sometimes in the condo, sometimes on the beach. Bliss!
The first evening we dove into the local culture in order to acquire some sustenance. We arrived at Walmart all innocence and naivety. I was totally unprepared for how different a South Carolina Walmart and a New Hampshire/Rhode Island Walmart are. Everything is loud and boisterous and bathing suit-y in a southern Walmart. I'm sure this is because it was not only Southern, but Myrtle Beachish (i.e. many vacationers). I was a bit overwhelmed, and happy to get back to our snug condo-on-the-sea.
It made me realize that I am a Northerner. There's just no getting around it. I'm familiar with the North. I'm comfortable there. I like the security of my privacy. I like the cooler weather (a lot!). I like the old trees and the old roads and the many storied houses.
But you know what? The South does have the North beat when it comes to lightning. Katie and I sat on the beach for a long time this evening watching lightning bolts on the horizon. They were impressive - the kind you see in coffee table books.
And really, I can't complain about any place that gives us the kind of vacation we've been having! So way to go South Carolina! You win my seal of approval (you lucky dog).
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