Thursday, July 13, 2023

Thursday, July 13, 2023

Tonight's picture was taken in July of 2005. Mattie was three years old and FULL of energy. That year we took him back to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. On our journey to the Island, we always stopped at Morris Farms. They had amazing fruits and vegetables and eating freshly picked things made us start our vacation off on a special note. As you can see, Mattie enjoyed all the farm vehicles they had out front. That was the highlight of this stop for him.

Quote of the day: If you want the light to come into your life, you need to stand where it is shining. ~ Guy Finley

It was another winner of a day on the farm. The highlight of my upcoming days is that my lifetime friend, Karen, is coming to visit on Monday for several days. I view Karen as "fresh blood," and right about now my situation could use it. Karen has been a part of my life for over 40 years. Can you believe this? 

I can still remember the first time I spoke and meet Karen. Now I am NOT sure Karen and I have the same memory, as her memory is even better than mine. But back in sixth grade, our local town center, painted its store front windows for the Fall/Halloween. As students from our school, we were able to sign up to do this. 

Given that I was new to that school that year, my mom encouraged me to go. I believe I went with my friend Janice. However, when we got to our store front window, Karen was assigned to the storefront right next to us. Fate in a way! Her painting partner did not show up that day, so it provided the perfect opportunity for us to talk, get to know each other, and get involved in an activity together. To me that was our first encounter! I can remember painting so vividly. 

Life back then seemed so much easier and simpler. But perhaps that is the beauty of being 12! Through ups and downs, and a lot of downs, Karen has remained a part of my life. This isn't always easy with friendships, especially when geographically we are far apart from each other. But we make it work. 

It is funny how memories come flying back as I can also recall when I moved to California, after 9th grade of high school. Karen came out to Los Angeles for that summer of transition. Truly moving across the country was life altering, and Karen joining us in our new house, eased my angst! I am sure Karen can also recall that my bedroom in our new house had NO curtains or shades. So we made shades out of big pieces of paper. 

Honestly given my daily routine, I am hesitant on having visitors join our chaos. However, with Karen it is different. She knows what she is getting into and isn't afraid to jump in.