I think one thing that I really love about the holiday season is the opportunity to connect with those who are important in our lives. As I have looked through our past blogs, I see that each and every year my friend Mary pops up. We do not often get together, but when we do, the time is filled with laughter, fun, and reminders of what makes us friends after all these years. After all, we have been friends since we were little girls growing up in the metropolis of Red Lake Falls.
Tonight Mary and I met at DiMaggio's in Red Lake Falls for supper, catching up, and a load of laughs! I had to chuckle when I walked up at the sign that was plastered on the front door.
This is kind of comical as there was a whole lot of hoopla when Christopher Ingraham, a Washington Post reporter named Red Lake County as one of the least desirable places to live! People got kind of wound up and I believe that this sign reflects the humor in an otherwise not so humorous situation. Growing up, I thought Red Lake Falls was pretty idyllic. I was not born and bred in the area, but it was my home for much of my childhood. I remember feeling that it was a pretty AMAZING place to grow up. There were even some hills and the countryside was lovely. I remember tubing the Red long before it was "COOL" to do so. In the summer, Auntie Dawn, Auntie Teresa, and I all worked. As soon as we got home from work, we would walk down the hill with our tubes in tow and hit the river. I loved to swim, so much of my time was spent swimming towards my tube rather than in it. Then the goal was to hit as many of the rough rapids as you could. We would laugh and giggle as we slowly let the world's cares flow away with the rivers ebb and flow. I loved those days . . . sigh . . .
I did giggle at the sign because for those of up that grew up there, we know just how ridiculous the claim of Ingraham was. When he revisited RLF, he recanted his original statement. I am officially off track and working towards my original train of thought.
I have to admit that I was a tish worried about Mary as we hadn't connected in awhile; however, all was good. We chatted about each of you kids, wondered when we would FINALLY be grandmas, and we laughed and laughed and laughed! On many levels, I really do think that laughter is one of the best medicines for most things that ail you. Sometimes we forget how many of the world's troubles cease to exist when there is laughter. Today my work day was stressful, well truthfully, many of my days are like that. I think that is life, but for awhile tonight I got to re-live my high school days when I was young, dumb, and life was an easier time. Then I got to travel back to when Mary and I were first having kiddos. Finally, we made our way to the present and it too was truly a gift.
Mary knows that I am a freak about quotes and I love this one that she shared tonight. This is a reminder for me, and for all of those that I know that would give their last dollar, their last moment of time, and their last breath for someone else. Sometimes it is tough to have boundaries and to set some limits as I believe that is healthy. Unfortunately, I also SUCK at it! This quote is teachable and preachable, but utterly unreachable . . . there's my rhyme for the day!
When I left Mary for the evening, I felt so much better than I did when I came. It is important to have friends old and new. The holidays are a time to reconnect with those that have left fingerprints on our lives and our hearts. Speaking of fingerprints, Auntie Linda and I chatted this evening on my way to RLF. I talk to her often; however, not as often as I would like as my life has me in overdrive right now. I love the opportunity to connect and reconnect as often as possible. I always said that I would get her if your dad and I were not together, thankfully there is enough of her for both of us. We have shared custody! I want to spend some time there during the holidays too, after all, even though the picture looks a bit different, she is still a major part of my life's image. Guess what, she pre-ordered me BOBBY BONE'S BOOK! If she sends in the slip to him, he will autograph it for me. I MUST show her how to do this!!! After all, I profess to be their biggest fan!!!!
I loved your poem last night and hope that you sent it in. The imagery was quite beautiful and it made me miss the ocean. Isn't it cool when one piece of art inspires the creativity for another artist. You are almost done with this semester and then you can breathe! Tomorrow I am working from home on policies and a pile of other stuff. If it storms, I will not have to venture out too far and for that I am grateful.
Wishing you love, friendship, and loads of laughs!
Most,
Mom
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Dear Mom,
As soon as I saw the picture you posted on the restaurant door, I had to laugh. I knew exactly what it was referring to. Christopher Ingraham caught a lot of heck for making that statement. How ridiculous that he actually thought that was a good idea to say. Shame shame.
I love that you and Mary were able to spend some time together tonight. She has always been there for you, and for all of us really. Remember when she spent all day helping us decorate for Jordan and Sam's wedding? And being there for my bridal shower, and Grandma's retirement party too. It makes me happy that although you don't see each other very often, you're always able to reconnect and pick right back up where you left off. She's there for you and your family and you are there for hers. That is true friendship.
Last night we had our JL Beers work Christmas party and I too realized how important friendship really is. We spent a couple hours enjoying good company, lots of laughter, pizza, and some delicious local beer. It was nice to spend some time with everyone outside of our normal work environment. That doesn't happen for us very often. After the Christmas party wrapped up, a group of us decided to go out. Jesse had to work so he couldn't come, but we still had ourselves a good time. Many, many more laughs, lots of stories and yes, more beer. I admit, I paid the price today with a bit of a hangover. Good beer = bad hangover. Totally worth it though, it was so much fun. And it was a Monday, so the bar we went to wasn't chaotic at all. Dad came to town today and I met him for lunch. I told him about our night and he made me giggle when he said, "well good! It sounds like you have a job you really enjoy. Although it's no Arnold Avenue." Ha! Arnold Ave was the best job ever. =)
Thanks for your feedback on my poem! I submitted it to my instructor today and she really loved it. She said she could hear how nicely it would sound in spoken word, and told me that I should consider reading it at a local poetry slam. I don't think Fargo really has a place to do that, but I would be open to the idea. When I was in literary arts in high school, we had to perform our poems once a year for the public. Everyone in the magnet arts program would display their visual art or perform their literary pieces and I always enjoyed that. I'm much less vulnerable when I'm reading my own writing, rather than when I have to post or submit the words. Maybe that's weird, or maybe not. Either way, it was nice to creatively write again and I'm hoping it sparked something in me to do more of that.
I wish I could work from home tomorrow night. I have to close. I actually suggested that my managers only schedule me for closing shifts. Most people there prefer to be scheduled for the mornings, but mornings are not my thing anymore. I think they actually appreciated that I was open for working mostly closing shifts. They feel bad when people have to close more than once or twice a week but I don't mind at all. I make the best money during those hours anyway. Plus, that gives me time during the day to get my workout in, do some homework AND take a nap. I'm much more productive when I squeeze all that in before my shift.
Hope you have a good day tomorrow working from home in your recliner, with the fireplace turned on, Hallmark movies on the TV, and Sophie snuggled in your lap. Fingers crossed there is some nice white fluffy snow out there for you too. I'm really hoping we get the storm, just in time for Christmas.
Love you lots!
Rah
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