October 30, 2017

DAY 2: MONDAY

October 24, 2017


After coffee and toast, we headed off In our rental to pick up our night worker daughter, Milaka.  I was hoping she would come with us today thinking Dixie might remember her.  Dixie often talked about the last visit she made so many years ago. 

Beautiful country.  Stunning reds and golds mixed in with the saturated forest greens up and down the gentle hills.  Passion in color all around us.

When we called her, dear Dixie said she knew we were coming.  What we didn’t know was that she was so worried she would miss us she called us here at home several times a day.

When we first met, I was 14 and she was 13.  We have many years of shared history from Junior High School homework to gossip, summer camp to raising children and everything in between.  Years later, I was the matron of honor at her wedding.  As I climbed her rough cement steps this Monday noon, I expected to see my friend.  When she opened the door she looked at me with a blank face.

It took childlike enthusiasm on my part to bring any recognition to her face.

It took a childlike enthusiasm on my part to talk through a lunch where she did seem to remember some of our childhood.  She ended up gripping my hand and wouldn’t let go.  When we dropped her home, she couldn’t find her keys in her purse.  Accurately, she kept saying her son took everything out of her purse.   Milaka tried the front door and found it open.

I cried as we drove away.  I could see her pink shirt through the glass both hands waving back and forth…back and forth.


                                

                                                                    

  • Himself: He loved the ride.  Today he is swampt at work.
  • Herself:  Another long slow death.  Glad she has a son living with her.
  • Captain Poolie:  Her body was too fragile to attempt the surgery when we left.  (Now: The blood clot got moving so they installed a net to catch it.  On Friday they felt she was strong enough to remove the stents.  Sunday one kidney needed iced.)
  • Reading:  To Powells books tomorrow.
  • Gratitude’s:  That I had a friend like Dixie for so many years.




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    6 comments:

    1. Marie SmithOctober 30, 2017 at 11:05 AM

      Such wonderful memories, Mage. That long goodbye is sad to witness!

      ReplyDelete
    2. CeliaOctober 30, 2017 at 11:18 AM

      Glad you got to visit. Our friends leave in more ways than I ever imagined.

      ReplyDelete
    3. TaborOctober 31, 2017 at 4:32 AM

      Your gratitude item says it all. I like that she was polite and pretended to remember it all. Hanging on to your hand was so good for her, she may have been a bit frightened in her mist and happy to be around childhood enthusiasm. I am sure her son has long ago given up the pretense. Life is not fair, but great if you don't weaken ;-)

      ReplyDelete
    4. AnvilcloudOctober 31, 2017 at 5:10 AM

      How sad for you, but hopefully you brought a little joy to her. It seems that you did.

      ReplyDelete
    5. Arkansas PattiOctober 31, 2017 at 7:44 AM

      That had to hurt but also had to make you feel warm knowing you gave your dear friend perhaps a glimpse into the beauty of what was. The smile on her face says a lot.

      ReplyDelete
    6. GeorgeOctober 31, 2017 at 7:48 AM

      it was heart breaking.

      ReplyDelete

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