Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Some Things Never Change

I've had a bundle of friendship encounters lately! You may have read about my meeting with blog buddy Rosemary in an earlier post.

My wonderful book club met Wednesday and again, I was surrounded by friends. (We read "Look Me In the Eye," by John Elder Robison -- a wonderful book about living with Asperger's. You can read my take on Chopsticks and String.)

Then there was Suzanne's visit.

Suzanne is one of my oldest (or maybe I should say "longest-running") friends -- 40-something years! We met in those golden days of high school when we shared a passion for drama, acting in a number of plays and musicals together in high school.

I was her maid of honor when she married a fellow named David eons ago. Suzanne, being the movie fan she is, was married in an old movie theatre and her reception on the Queen Mary in Long Beach was wonderful. I later enjoyed visits to their home in Hollywood and then Las Vegas when they worked in the film industry.

(Old-time recollections -- going to LA and finding O.J.'s house and the Nicole Simpson house... of course, when she lived in NYC, we went past where Norman Mailer was shot and where John Barrymore died. We share some odd interests in common, which does baffle Rick.)

Fifteen years ago this past New Year's, Suzanne and David came to visit Lansing. We went to dinner with a fellow I was dating -- and it was a painfully awkward, since this fellow didn't talk much and really, I'm not sure what any of us had in common. The following day, I invited my neighbor over to watch the Rose Bowl with us. (Suzanne was a Northwestern graduate and the neighbor had lived in Evanston).

They loved him. "Why in the world aren't you interested in this guy, instead of the other," Suzanne said, and David agreed.

Good friends know when to keep their mouths shut about whom you date. Really good friends know when they need to express themselves.

This is a picture of my neighbor Rick that New Year's Day. A few months later, he and I moved from friends to more and we've never looked back. Thank you, Suzanne!

Over the years we have shared a passion for books, yarn, England, theatre, movies, shopping (for any of the above) ...

And a love of all things cat.

Suzanne has since remarried and found her soul mate in Jim, a man who loves (or at least understands) old theatres and movies like she does. (Although I don't know if they can ever understand our breaking into old theatres in Boston undergoing renovation to take pictures. Or for that matter, the original Flamingo in Vegas, because it was Bugsy's place.)

I think Jim and Rick are a little baffled by our interests. But they deal with them gracefully! We appreciate that, and both feel lucky we are exactly where we are with the men we are with.

We relish our visits to Canada and Suzanne's visits to Lansing -- most recently, last week!

There are hugs and pizza. We catch up between comments about the Golden Globes, give treats to the Gypsy, and laugh.

We enjoy Margaritas and Mexican food and Suzanne's and my favorite Mexican restaurant in town -- it's not Rick's fave, but he's a grand sport! We celebrate belated Christmas, talk knitting, old friends, good times. More cat treats.

We say our farewells as I leave for work the next day. I know Rick and I will soon be looking at the Stratford schedule, and pretty soon we'll cross the border to visit Suzanne and Jim. And it will be good. Because really, isn't that what friendship is all about?

19 comments:

Annie Jeffries said...

oh my goodness, jeanie. what a marvelous account of your history of this friendship. i think you know how lucky you truly are to have this living representative of your life. hugs, annie.

Luna und Luzie said...

Hello Jeanie,

this is a great post about a wonderful friendship. I enjoyed much the beautiful photos and reading about it.
The book about asperger sounds interesting.

hugs
Stefanie

Linda Jo said...

Wonderful post. And how great that y'all are still so in touch! I love that. I have a friend I stay in touch with ....from 50 years ago! Old friends are dear.

Deb said...

Love all these photos, Jeanne. I like how you met Rick, too. Very sweet. I have a friend of 35 years that is so special to me, too. Aren't they just wonderful to have in your back pocket. "Hi Gypsey". Hugs, Deb=^..^=x5

Barb said...

Any friends are good but old friends are golden! (And it looks as though Gypsy approves!)

Bella Rum said...

Aren't old friends who share your history the best? I have a friend of forty years, and we never have to reinvent the wheel when one of us has sadness or joy or just a boring old day. We already know all the background.

Love the picture of you guys in on stage. It illustrates your long relationship. Good stuff, Jeanie.
Bella

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I love that your friend played a part in you finding your husband - or discovering that he was in front of you. That's awesome. I love honest friendships like that where a person can say - why are you dating him? You should date him!

Sounds like you had a wonderful time together!

Sally Wessely said...

I loved this account of your wonderful friendship. You are such a great storyteller. Friends, dear old ones, aren't they just the best?

Joanne Huffman said...

Isn't it wonderful how you can pick up and keep running with old friends - the "givens," the shared experiences, the new adventures!

Marilyn Miller said...

Friendships like yours and Suzanne's is a real treasure. How wonderful to have her in your life all these years.

Janet said...

Long time friends are the best. I enjoyed reading about your history with Suzanne. It sounds as if you have a lot of fun together.

anno said...

A favorite post, for sure, Jeanie! Great story about a wonderful friendship... so glad for all the years you've had together.

paris parfait said...

Jeanie, how wonderful to spend time with good friends! My apologies for being so remiss at keeping up with you and your blog. Am hoping after we move to Amsterdam, I'll become a little more organised and can keep up! Thanks for all your recent sweet comments. Miss you. Hope you and Rick will come see us in Amsterdam - after all, he could ride his bike everywhere! :) xo

Arti said...

Beautiful post... Sounds like a wonderful movie script!

~*~Patty S said...

keeping friendships going and for so long...takes effort...so worthwhile as is evidenced here
oxo

Jeanie said...

A lovely tribute to your friend and to friendship. It is so good to have someone who we can take up with as though we have just seen them the day before no matter how long it has really been.

Becca said...

This made me want to see all my friends and give them a hug!

Such grand times you've had - and WILL have :)

And don't you love going to Stratford? I can hardly wait until the curtain opens again.

koralee said...

What a sweet post. xoxoox

Karen Owen said...

Isn't it wonderful to have lifetime friends? I so enjoyed your account and the photos of your memories.

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