Thursday, August 27, 2009

Unforgettable


Oh, what wonderful things I've seen and great adventures I've been on since last checking in here! I was this close to a moose and lucky for him, I shoot with a camera, not a gun. The moose was simply standing on the side of the road. My sister turned her car around, drove right up to her and I took photos which didn't seem to bother the moose at all. We left before she could change her mind.

I had made plans to meet up with my 1972 roommates on Monday and Hurricane Bill was forecast for Sunday. Knowing I would probably not want to drive in a hurricane and assuming the bridge would close, I decided to go to New Brunswick early and visit my family for the weekend. I told no one in advance, so surprised my Dad first and everyone else in turn. I had a great time with the family, spending the night at a cottage on Grand Lake that my sister in law had for the weekend and spending alone time (shopping) with my sister.

The reunion with my two girlfriends was as I imagined. Though we look quite different than we did in '72, we haven't changed a bit in how we relate to one another or have a great time together. We stayed up late, ate junk food (as well as wonderful meals), and had a lot of laughs. We went on a long car trip to keep a medical specialist's appointment for our friend who developed a medical condition since she arrived on vacation. That is quite different from '72 when we were all in our early twenties and healthy as horses. We had a blast, remembering (and sometimes not) events from the past and mourning together for a few lost friends from that time.

I regularly keep in touch with both women but it was truly wonderful to be in the same room together and witness how we all went back to the patterns of the ways we had related to one another thirty-five years ago. I thought it was very interesting. One became the mother; one the baby and one the comedienne. I could go on and on about these patterns. Broken Social Scene has a song, All My Friends. It tells a little about us but the next song is about our history. Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole sing Unforgettable. It fits for us. We all have these 'unforgettable' moments and experiences with each other in a prime time of our lives and we'll never forget their impact - which we all shared, being roommates. It was a really inspiring reunion for me. I am going to be doing lots of art now and these woman have provided the muse.

6 comments:

nan said...

Sounds like a very special time!

Ralph said...

I love reunions with friends who go back decades but whom I don't see much of. I, too, marvel at the comfortable old patterns we simply resume as if no time had passed at all. Such a comfort, and so much fun. Great post.

Cuidado said...

Oh, Nan it was very special. We realize this may be the last time we were all together.

Cuidado said...

Thanks, Ralph. Our hair is grey, we are all getting diseased body parts removed and getting older every day, yet we haven't changed a bit. It is comforting.

Carol Tiffin James said...

Love the moose! It's strange, but we saw more moose in Maine the times we were here before we moved to Maine than we have since we moved. I guess it's because we've settled into our new lives and schedules and are no longer "on vacation." We were talking recently about wanting to take a "day trip" and drive up to the moose areas. I hope I can get as good a picture as you did!

Cuidado said...

Hi Carol, I usually get to see some moose or deer when I'm home and even bears sometimes are about. It's a different world than here.

I got some better photos of Ms. Moose but thought this one was funny. I believe tomorrow or the next day a good one comes up on my Shutterchance blog - link on the right.