Monday, November 17, 2014

The Absence of Yesterday

Walking out in the heavy, cold rain this morning it suddenly occurred to me (?) that I haven't written or visited my blog in a long while.  So after shaking off the wet, I sat down to take a look at the last entry.  December 2013.  That's shameful.  Really.  I read that entry.  I wrote about people with whom I share history.  I wrote about my friend, Gerd, who would phone me every Christmas from Germany.  Not this year - not any more.  Gerd passed away in April.  Closer still - my once husband and friend of 58 years died in August.  My old buddy, Al, is no longer at any of the addresses or phone numbers I have for him.  No forwarding address.  My college friend, Pat, has disappeared herself from me and other college mates.  The list is getting sadly long.

One of my favorite films - American Dreamer - has a scene where Jo Beth Williams literally falls into her house, opens a telegram announcing her winning of an important contest and whispers - to the air - that she has won.  Pauline Collins - as Shirley Valentine - speaks her intimate thoughts to her kitchen wall.  And I become more and more familiar with this script.

The lesson being for me: reach out!  If I can say "Remember that??"  to someone who might actually share that memory - gotta do it now!

And you lovely person who's taken the time to read this - I'll bet we have a few remember that? moments to share.   While we're staying "in the moment," bringing an old friend into that moment - well, you know what I mean.

Have a very happy holiday season with people whom you love and remembering the joys of yesterdays.