melancholy
Today has been the day for mourning friendships lost and found. How can friendships found be mourned (you may ask)? Strangely, in the same way that friendships lost can be mourned, provided the relationship in question is bound by apparently insurmountable physical constraints. Here, in the land of 21st century connections, we can forge bonds with people we may never meet in person. The more real they become on our computers and in our heads, the more poignant the physical distance.
It's not so different from missing people you once knew. Years ago my husband and I spent a year teaching at a language school in the town of Larisa, in central Greece. It was there that I became friends with one of our teaching colleagues, an Athenian named Anthie. We bonded quickly, and many years later I still think about her.
This weekend I got the news that a friend has accepted a job out of town. Seems I'd better shape up and quit taking her easy proximity for granted for the few weeks remaining before she moves.
Back to our regular programming soon.
It's not so different from missing people you once knew. Years ago my husband and I spent a year teaching at a language school in the town of Larisa, in central Greece. It was there that I became friends with one of our teaching colleagues, an Athenian named Anthie. We bonded quickly, and many years later I still think about her.
This weekend I got the news that a friend has accepted a job out of town. Seems I'd better shape up and quit taking her easy proximity for granted for the few weeks remaining before she moves.
Back to our regular programming soon.
posted by andrea at 8:27 p.m.
14 Comments:
For you:
The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the empty skies my love...
The first time ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth move through my hand
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command my love...
The first time ever I lay with you
I felt your heart so close to mine...
The first time ever I saw your face, your face, your face...
------------
You can listen to this song at the following URL:
http://ladynwavsone.com/firsttime.html
Isn't it strange how the connections we make seem to be stretched thin by distance? These links are thus all the more fragile and difficult to sustain.
My best friends live inside my computer ... or is that my head :)
In the short time I have been blogging, I have found the connections I make with people the best part! Since we are almost neighbours (relatively speaking); maybe we will get to meet someday.
Thanks for your comment on my Illustration Friday post - let me know what your kids think of it. I have actually submitted it for a contest at the SCBWI.
Take care and I hope your melancholy mood lifts ...
I'm glad to have met you and shared your blogging so far.
I hope you find another friend-in-the-flesh to have walks with and sit and share a cuppa with.
Andrea, what a lovely photo... it captures the moment and your sentiments very well.
I feel the same about my blogging friends, especially you and Caroline.
I lived in Alaska for 13 years, and what a transient place that is! I think of those years as a series of people coming and going... it's not easy, but it has it's own reward. When someone leaves, someone else comes along. Here's hoping someone comes along soon for you.
Pegasus: can I be a lousy Canadian and say that I liked Roberta Flack's version much better? K, A, R, C & N: thanks for propping me up in my hour of pathetic whining.
Well, I didn't hear any pathetic whining :-) - I heard a celebration of friendship, a heart-felt recognition of how valuable friends are in our lives, mingled with apprehension at the thought of loss. I hope you have plenty of opportunity to share that value and prepare for her leaving - it sounds as though that's already how you're thinking. Take care :-)
I often think of long lost friends and wonder where they are. With the internet, it should be much easier to trace them if you really want to. Have you tried to get in contact with Anthie again?
A couple of years ago, I traced a good friend from UCT (university of Cape Town) days and it was great seeing her again. I must confess to not having kept up our renewed friendship even though she has made most of the effort since I traced her.
The connection was still there but it was different and I didn't feel like making the effort even though she is relatively close to me as she lives in London. Now I feel guilty about it. Mmmm...maybe I should contact her this Xmas time? :-)
Every day on my walk I have to pass my friend John Tiffen Pattersons house. John died Feb. 7th 2005. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him. He was such a cool guy! We would walk and talk. He had a dog named Puppy who died right before John. John was an amazing director. He directed a lot of the most interesting episodes of the Sopranos. But he directed lots of shows. We would talk about old movies, directors, books, life and death. He was one of the most interesting people I have known. I loved the guy and miss him dearly! Your post reminds me of the idea that we must keep up connections. Even though he is not here I still talk to him in my head. It's funny his house remains there even though he is gone. Someone else bought it but it will always be John's house to me.
Thanks, Andy. And Nomad: I have googled peple and found them (much to their disgust). It's a bad habit of mine, actually, and though I haven't found Anthie, I did find the person I most wanted to find.
Andrea, I am a true romantic and tend to cherish all the beautiful experiences I've had in my life especially people I've met over the years.
I love your post about Anthie...
I had a great Greek friend 26 years ago, and I have tried to get in touch but no luck! I will keep trying!
Hmmmm, I have friends in my head too! Or, do they belong to Anonymous!!? :O
Friendship...very much like ships, passing in the night or sometimes docked together for a lifetime. I have learned to enjoy both types!
Recently I ran into 2 friends who had married, based upon their fortunate meeting at one of my birthday parties. Results of my friendship with them and their fortumate pairing...3 beautiful red-headed little girls! Wow...brought tears to my eyes! Our ships are now back at the same dock...for now. <: -)
Interesting about life and the human creature...and now the joy of blog relationships. So much fun!
Great post, most thought provoking...especially during the end of a year & during holidays!
I love the photo!
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