Thursday, April 21, 2011

And Then the Phone Rings

I am not one for chatting on the phone.  I did go through a phase of talking on the phone when I was a teenager but that was a rite of passage.  I do confess to watching episodes of Charles in Charge while talking to my best friend on the phone.  But that was then.  Now the phone is just a means of getting a message to someone quickly.  I can usually think of something I would rather do than talking on the phone.  However, I do have one friend that I love talking to on the phone.  Yesterday afternoon, I got the chance to just sit down and listen and talk and laugh.



This particular friend moved away several years ago.  Before children, the drive wasn't a big deal and we managed to see each other every few months.  Then we had four children between us and with each new child, the time between visits would get longer as it became more difficult to work around the schedules.  We now see each other about once a year.  We also tend to go quite awhile between talking on the phone.  I sense that my aversion to the phone is mostly to blame.  Occasionally over the last couple of years, I begin to think that we may have grown apart in the true physical sense.  It happens.  I don't want it to happen but sometimes distance makes the heart forget.

And then the phone rings.


I recognize the number and answer with a familiar "Hey!"  (I love that it freaks her out every time that I answer the phone knowing it is her.)  It has been almost a year since we last talked but we pick up as if it was only last week.  Do you know the friend that just makes you laugh without trying?  That just makes you happy that you know her?  That makes you stay up way past your bedtime because you just enjoy being with her?That's her.  An hour and a half passes and we say good-bye because we have to go pick up our respective children.  (Upon arrival at the school, I am informed that I was scheduled to volunteer that afternoon.  Oops.  It's not your fault.  I just forgot to look at the schedule.  I made up for it this afternoon.)  

I could go on and on about the friendship.  I could tell you about the time we were mistaken for a lesbian couple while shopping for beads together and how we didn't realize what the guy was implying until we had gotten home and opened a bottle of wine.   I could tell you about how supportive she is.  I could tell you about her love for 80s music.  But I won't.  i will tell you that I am going to see her next week and will get to spend the whole day with her and her girls.  I am thrilled to beans.  I don't even know if that makes sense but that's how happy I am.

9 comments:

  1. Absolutely lovely post Tara....your friendship really came through in your words. How wonderful to have next week to look forward to.

    Wishing you the very best time...but I know you already will. :-)

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  2. the person I talk to on the phone the most is my mom. otherwise, our phone hardly ever rings! sad but true. email has taken over. have a good time with your friend :)

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  3. Great post. I know how you feel, I have a friend I feel the same about. Have a great time together!

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  4. oh yes.. i have a friend like that - sarah. we constantly dream up living on a compound together with our families. : ) it is so nice to have a friend like that no matter how far away they are. so glad you get a chance to see each other soon. it will recharge your spirits for a while i'm sure!!!

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  5. I have a couple of dear friends like this...and I am like you...not a BIG telephone talker...
    BUT love chatting with my girlfriends who are SO very dear to me!

    I've just been catching up on your week of posts(left comments to the past 4 or 5)...sorry...been crazy busy!

    Have a great Easter!
    HUGS
    Char.x

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  6. I know exactly what you're talking about. I've had a very similar scenario play out in the past week with a friend I've had since 4th grade. We never talk on the phone but when she called me this week we chatted and laughed about everything and nothing, just like not a day had gone by.

    I hope you have a great visit!

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  7. That's the kind of friendship passing time and mode of conversation transcends. I do have one friend that laughs every time I answer, "Hey There!" when she calls. So I laughed at your "Hey." :) Glad you get to spend real time together next week!
    Those flower pictures? Gorgeous!

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  8. So great to have a friend like that.So comfortable and warm. Nothing like a friend from years ago.

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  9. I can't believe I read this for the first time today- you've got me smiling from ear to ear and wiping my teary eyes! I love to hear that we feel the same way about each other after all these years (I have a hunch the years have a little something to do with it!!) That's exactly how I felt when I hung up the phone and it was truly wonderful to see you (and your adorable boys) and to squeeze out as many hours as we could to spend together. I think we may have been mistaken for a lesbian couple again, but this time with four kids!

    xo Su

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