patalija

May 12, 2002

By the way friend…

I appreciate you more than I knew until recently. We’ve been friends off and on for many years – let me count – almost 19 I think. We’ve had a stormy off-again/on-again relationship but the times we have shared have been among the best I’ve ever known. The times we weren’t in a good place were uncomfortable and, somehow, unreal. If I believe in past lives we’ve had them – and plenty – together. When I am angry at someone or something you pick up my beat pass me like I’m standing still and pretty soon I’m comforting you. Ever notice that? I admire the same things in you that you seem to admire in me and our difficulties are just as similar. It’s a lively time when we talk and topic after topic surfaces with never enough time to wring one dry, but just bring it a bit to the surface and be taunted by its appearance. One of us is Southern – one Jewish, one is blond, one dark brunette, one tall, one petite (short might offend), one is a surface conformist, one wouldn’t touch conformity with a 10 foot pole, both have good hearts and a keen and oft called upon sense of humor. Do you recognize yourself – do you know which one you are? Well, I’d recognize you anywhere – you’re the one carrying the bouquet of flowers, the green plastic cap filled with chocolate dipped strawberries, the great redwood in a plastic bag introducing himself as Mr. Ramstein, the gift wrapped so elaborately and with such irony and sense of humor that we named it for God’s sake – Suspiciously Puffy, a bench for my garden, a chapel lamp for my doorstep, inedible Christmas bread, big-ass towels in a pizza box, homemade Christmas cards sporting little cut-out pictures of things important to me, pictures of my sons on a special shirt, a personalized campaign poster in case I decided to put myself out there “…for the people”, gifts for my sons and friends of my sons because they were important to you because they were important to me – I’d always know you. We both know it’s hard to be us and we’re the only ones who really understand that. There’s no rhyme or reason to this, just a collection of thoughts I’m having right now and decided to share. I haven’t skimmed the surface though, just breaking water and taunting you a bit. I’ll be back to visit and give each one its due and there will be more – many more.

Spinnaker

May 13, 2002

🙂

Great description of a dynamic and interesting friendship 🙂

Marie Elena

You’re very blessed to have such a friend.

friends are the secrets in life…

~Voyageur

Aww. Friends forever, what a blessing.

MJ+

May 14, 2002

A beautiful entry that sings patalija 🙂 Hugs

“I’d recognize you anywhere…I’d always know you.” In some ways, these words are more powerful than ‘I love you’ from a friend. It goes to the heart of it. Being SEEN. Known & recognized. Accepted for what you are, TRULY, so that appearances cease to matter–thru all the ‘fat’, ‘thin’, ‘young’, ‘old’, ‘sweet’ & ‘bitchy’ of life–in fact, thru life after life…that part of us that never changes.

Another collection of thoughts:…SOOO much better to tell your friends what they mean to you while they’re still living, rather than to save it all for some “eulogy”…what a gentle, playful way you have of being serious…maybe the emphasis your friend seems to place on gift-giving is her way of “giving back”…your friend would surely recognize you anywhere, patalija…she would always know you

Adagio

What a treasure you both have in each other. It’s a wonderful life gift to have such friendships. (hugshugshugs!) :)xo

gel

That sounds like a wonderful friendship. I have one of those too and appreciate it so much.

very lovely

Doodlebug

May 17, 2002

Love your illustration!

Ollie

May 22, 2002

Dear patalija, thanks for the mail. I am catching up and moving pretty slow. This is a beautiful tribute to your friend and to yourself, as you are a special friend also! Have a great day. Love,

I do so love reading your words. And I like the pic on the front page. :o)

forever in motion

May 25, 2002

Wow, wonderful 🙂 xxoo,

May 31, 2002

Thank you so much for your note to me. I can’t begin to tell you how that made me feel. As I have aged, I have tried really hard to treat others the way I would like to be treated. We’re all so fragile really. Thank you again. It meant soooo much.

Icarus Knew

June 13, 2002

Old friends are a treasure. Glad to see that you are wealthy. Hugs.

June 14, 2002

I miss you. 🙂 Is everything okay? :)xo

July 2, 2002

Dear patalija, I miss you too! Is everything OK?, :(,

July 10, 2002

Just saw your name on the PMW BBQ list and got so excited 🙂 Long time no entry, hope you’re ok… Hugs,

Hey gal! You there? Missing you 🙁 Sure wish you’d write a little bit to let us know how you are. Hope all is well with you and yours. Hugs

I have a friend very much like this, whom I’ve been friends with for the past twenty years! This is lovely. Much love,

~X-Factor

July 28, 2002

I was sorry you weren’t at the BBQ. I had hoped to meet you. I hope you’re doing well.