As I wrote about the other day, we had a nice little walk down memory lane while cleaning out the attic. But what wasn't in the attic, is something I have tucked away, tied with fading ribbons, in a special box in my office. Its a bundle of notes and letters that were written by me, and my best friend, during high school and college. Some of these notes and letters were of the kind written during class and passed to one another when the teacher wasn't looking our way. Or left in the locker we shared for the other to find after the next class. Some were long missives written after we were no longer living in the same town, after we were in college, or married. The letters contain silly things like complaints about teachers and homework, or that the Spanish classroom was so cold that our noses were running and our fingers were turning blue. And they contain our opinions of boys, what catty girl was driving us crazy, who we wanted to ask us to homecoming or the prom, and what we would wear when they did. They contain our hopes, our dreams, and our heartbreaks. Our tears at the death of a dear friend. Our guilt over a failed marriage. Our struggles with who we were, and who we wanted to be.
At some point, the letters became less frequent, then ceased altogether. I saved these letters all these years because they are important to me. They contain so many of my thoughts and feelings during those years of my life. And they contain a friendship that was dear to me.
Now, thanks to technology and the internet, I am in touch with this dear friend once again. Nearly 20 years after we last spoke, we had lunch together today. We spent 4 hours catching up, and filling in all those years. And fell right back into the comfort and ease we had together as kids. And it turns out we have so much in common, still. One of those things is scrapbooking and paper crafts. My friend made this beautiful altered journal for me! So of course, I had to photograph it for today's entry. I can't wait to get together with her again. We now live about 2 hours from each other, so visits will have to be planned, but this friendship is so worth the effort!
At some point, the letters became less frequent, then ceased altogether. I saved these letters all these years because they are important to me. They contain so many of my thoughts and feelings during those years of my life. And they contain a friendship that was dear to me.
Now, thanks to technology and the internet, I am in touch with this dear friend once again. Nearly 20 years after we last spoke, we had lunch together today. We spent 4 hours catching up, and filling in all those years. And fell right back into the comfort and ease we had together as kids. And it turns out we have so much in common, still. One of those things is scrapbooking and paper crafts. My friend made this beautiful altered journal for me! So of course, I had to photograph it for today's entry. I can't wait to get together with her again. We now live about 2 hours from each other, so visits will have to be planned, but this friendship is so worth the effort!
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Aww, you made me tear up reading this! Why do you say you can't journal? This would sound lovely on a page with our picture. Thank you for writing such a sweet snapshot of our treasured friendship. We have to get together soon and read the letters together!! Funny, embarrassing, memory provoking! Love ya! PS Your photography makes the journal look much better than it is!! :P
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