Wednesday, December 20, 2017
A True Christmas Present
I got to spend some time with this lady today and I am so glad I did.
She drove to Tallahassee this morning with one of our friends- Lulumarie, here on the blog- who lives in St. Augustine and who had ordered a car from Mr. Moon which she picked up today. Lis was buying Lulumarie's car and so it was a busy day for Mr. Moon, getting all of the papwerwork in order, getting tags put on cars, making sure that all was absolutely as it should be.
After most of that was done, the four of us went to lunch at the Farm-to-Table place we like so much. We sat leisurely in a booth and ate our good food and chatted and enjoyed the time and then Lulumarie got in her new dream car and drove away, headed home, while Mr. Moon went back to the office to finish up Lis's title work and she and I went and delivered a beautiful hat she'd made for a friend and then we went to the Quarter Moon, Tallahassee's hippie shop for the past umpteen years. We both found little presents to give and then we went and had coffee.
It was a gloomy day today. Still warm and humid but overcast, the sky bruised dramatically, but almost completely empty of rain. Lis had told me some absolutely devastating news about one of her oldest and dearest friends, a man I've known for quite a while too, a good, good man who, with his wife, has already been through more than any parent should go through. This news sat with us as we drank our coffee, and we spoke about how things like that put it all in perspective. How this going out and buying stuff for people because we feel we have to is absolutely so unimportant.
And we were quiet for awhile, finishing our coffee, thinking about life and how it can be so impossible to understand, so quick to turn, so easy to take for granted.
It was like the sadness of this news cushioned us in a cocoon of reality which, for a moment at least, obscured the buzzing bullshit which we all too frequently allow to divert us from that which has true meaning in our lives. I know that doesn't really sound as if it makes sense. But it is how it felt for me.
Mr. Moon let us know that the title work was done and we drove back to the bank and Lis signed a few papers and then got in the beautiful green Highlander which Lulumarie had sold to her and Lon. On the back of the vehicle was a Greatful Dead bumper sticker and the "lander" part of the Highlander insignia had either fallen off or been removed by some parking lot jokester at some point and we giggled about the significance of that. I was so sad to see her drive away.
I love that woman.
She is my secret sharer, my mother confessor, my partner in crime.
Tomorrow is the solstice and I am hoping that as we change into this new season, our hearts are lightened with our days.
And to keep it all real, I will tell you that I went back to Costco today and the only things they were sampling were spring rolls and RAISIN BRAN! Who wants a tiny white cup of dry raisin bran?
I didn't.
But I did see my gal who always cheers me and we hugged as always and her eyes were worthy of an Egyptian princess.
Even in the midst of sorrow and anxiety and holiday madness, there are moments of great transcending love and also moments of sweet human interaction if we just take the time to let them happen, keep our eyes and hearts open, and try with all of our hearts to be as kind to each other and to ourselves as we can be.
That's what I think.
Love...Ms. Moon
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Raisin bran? The fuck? Did you complain?
ReplyDeleteYes. What is really important is what we need to reign into. Family. Friends. Standing up for what’s right and good. Recognizing the the humanness of each other.
Blessing, dear Mary.
Blessing to you, dear Birdie!
DeleteAnd no, I did not complain. That would have required me staying in the store for at least five more minutes. No way.
Amen, Mary Moon! Love and light are the true meaning, periodically we are reminded of that again when we get caught up in the tragedies of life and the state of things in general, and it is easy to forget. I spoke to a lifelong friend yesterday (I've probably known her as long as you have known Lis)...... she has lived through the horrible fires in S. California the past 2 weeks and I've checked on her almost every day via phone. She said yesterday *have I told you how much I love you and depend on you to keep me grounded*?. My heart overflowed...... as probably like Lis is for you, she has been an anchor to me over 45 years. That is what it is all about...... intertwining anchors.
ReplyDeleteSusan M
I've never heard it put quite that way- intertwining anchors. But it's true. And intertwining wings, as well...
DeleteThis is so beautiful. Lis is, you are. Everything about it.
ReplyDeleteThat was me, joanne
ReplyDeleteI am so lucky to have that woman in my life.
DeleteAnd to have you, too, Joanne.
Raisin Bran?! HAHAHAHA! That's insane.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to spend some quality time with Lis. Sorry about the sobering news, but you're right -- things like that can be a reminder of what's important in life. Your own life is so rich and so intertwined with all your family members and friends -- you are lucky in many many ways, and I know you know it!
I do know it, Steve. I do absolutely know how damn fortunate I am.
DeleteAnd yeah- raisin bran? I'd love to know why Costco samples what it samples when it samples. I understand the samples that introduce a new product or perhaps a seasonal one. But... hell. Everyone knows what raisin bran tastes like. Are we supposed to try a little cup of it and think, "Wow! Raisin bran! I need to buy me some of that! It's delicious! When did they invent this?"
I know exactly what you mean about news of other people's tragedy putting everything in perspective. I have had the same experience this week as the mother of one of my daughter's friends died yesterday. My daughter was at their home on Monday and cooked scrambled eggs for her friends mother, and she had no idea then that this woman who once took her to Tulum with her daughter and two other friends, was two days away from her last breath. My girl is devastated.
ReplyDeleteI know that your daughter must be absolutely devastated. Remind her that it is a gift that she made food for a woman she truly cared about right before she died. She offered comfort and sustenance and I am sure it was received with gratefulness.
DeleteOn a happier note, how wonderful that you got to spend time with your secret sharer. I love that.
ReplyDeleteThe people with whom we share our secrets are few and precious, aren't they?
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