One of my best, most long-time friends died yesterday. I had known Marla for forty-three years, so I have been thinking a lot about our long friendship and the good and not-so-good times we shared.
For many years, we either saw each other or spoke on the phone every day. Then, she moved a couple of hundred miles away, and we stayed in touch or got together frequently. So, there's a lot to remember. I have decided to concentrate on the fun times, because the not-so-fun times, though much fewer in number, tend to be depressing, and there is nothing to be gained from sinking into a "slough of despond," as they say.
There are too many good times to relate, but I'll especially enjoy the memory of a vacation to Florida that our two families took one summer. We left our five kids with a sitter and went with our husbands to play golf one day, the four of us. Marla and I couldn't believe how far we were hitting the ball. As we issued delighted cries and talked about how much we had improved, our husbands chuckled and whispered to each other about the effect of the sea level and atmospheric pressures, or something, making us better golfers than we could ever hope to be. They let us enjoy our long drives and great iron shots off the pine needles, until we became insufferable with our bragging, and at dinner, they lovingly explained why we weren't in the LPGA's league by any means. It was a great trip.
Then, there were all the golf tournaments at our local Country Club. We were members of the Women's Golf Association, and as such, worked hard at the mens' tournaments, selling beverages on the course, helping out in the clubhouse, waiting table, tending bar, even cooking in the years when the club couldn't afford a chef or a manager. We acted as gofers for all the local and out-of-town golfers. One Memorial Day, the rain came down in buckets, but that didn't deter the golfers, so we ladies went to Walmart and bought all the plastic rain suits they had and in spite of that everyone got drenched. It was one of the best tournaments, ever.
We celebrated together, laughed and cried together and talked and talked and talked. Forty three years' worth of words and laughter and tears.
I'm really going to miss her.
Stay tuned.
For many years, we either saw each other or spoke on the phone every day. Then, she moved a couple of hundred miles away, and we stayed in touch or got together frequently. So, there's a lot to remember. I have decided to concentrate on the fun times, because the not-so-fun times, though much fewer in number, tend to be depressing, and there is nothing to be gained from sinking into a "slough of despond," as they say.
There are too many good times to relate, but I'll especially enjoy the memory of a vacation to Florida that our two families took one summer. We left our five kids with a sitter and went with our husbands to play golf one day, the four of us. Marla and I couldn't believe how far we were hitting the ball. As we issued delighted cries and talked about how much we had improved, our husbands chuckled and whispered to each other about the effect of the sea level and atmospheric pressures, or something, making us better golfers than we could ever hope to be. They let us enjoy our long drives and great iron shots off the pine needles, until we became insufferable with our bragging, and at dinner, they lovingly explained why we weren't in the LPGA's league by any means. It was a great trip.
Then, there were all the golf tournaments at our local Country Club. We were members of the Women's Golf Association, and as such, worked hard at the mens' tournaments, selling beverages on the course, helping out in the clubhouse, waiting table, tending bar, even cooking in the years when the club couldn't afford a chef or a manager. We acted as gofers for all the local and out-of-town golfers. One Memorial Day, the rain came down in buckets, but that didn't deter the golfers, so we ladies went to Walmart and bought all the plastic rain suits they had and in spite of that everyone got drenched. It was one of the best tournaments, ever.
We celebrated together, laughed and cried together and talked and talked and talked. Forty three years' worth of words and laughter and tears.
I'm really going to miss her.
Stay tuned.
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12 comments:
*hugs* i'm sorry for your loss, sister. may the memories of good times bring you comfort. xoxoxo
more hugs... so sorry you lost your galpal.. galpals are hard to come by, and when you lose them, you lose part of you... HUGS..
Wonderful, happy memories remain always. So sorry for your loss.
Sorry for the loss of your friend. Happy memories live on...
Losing a good friend is so hard. Especially one you've known so long. My condolences.
Thank you, everyone. I decided not to list all of our good times. There were too many. But, I'll remember them all - and smile.
sorry for your loss.
I love this post because it is very very interesting.Thanks you very much for shearing this article
You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for more info about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.
Friends that good are hard to come by. I sympathize with your loss, Mari.
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