I recently finished reading the book, Signs of Life, by Natalie Taylor. She was twenty-four and pregnant, when she suddenly became a widow. That puts life into perspective doesn't it! No time to plan, no diagnosis or time to prepare, just gone. Her husband died in an accident on something similar to a skateboard. He was 26 or 27, I can't remember. It is not a happy summer read, but I like reading about things that people have to overcome and learn how they overcame them. We will all face difficult circumstances and events in this life. The key is what we run to and how we get through these events. Since I am a Christian it struck me that she is not. I don't say that to condemn her, but just as an observation. I am not sure how anyone goes through this life without Christ as their strength. At any rate, that is not the purpose of this blog. I just wanted to highlight a part of the book I really enjoyed. Here is an excerpt:
"On Friday after school, Deedee picks up Kai ( the author's son) and tells me to take a few hours to myself. I decide to wander through Borders bookstore for a while. I find a book called "Not Quite What I Was Planning." Smith magazine invited its subscribers to submit their own six-word memoirs. The book was inspired by an Ernest Hemingway Line: "Baby shoes: for sale, never worn." Hemingway proved that an entire story could be told in six words. The book is amazing. It's funny and sad. I want to meet all of the people behind the quips. "I'm ten and have an attitude." "I still make coffee for two." "Accidentally killed a cat. Fear anything delicate." One of my personal favorites: "Birth, childhood, adolescence, adolescence, adolescence, adolescence."
Of course I think about my life in six words. What would it be? What six words would summarize the insanity of the last year of my life, let alone the first twenty-four? What first comes to mind is "Single widowed mother trying to recover." But then, I reason, if I only had six words, would I choose the word widow? Would I allow that word to make up my identity? Just a half-dozen words to describe everything I've been through---would widow make the team? If I wanted to be as descriptive as possible, then certainly widow does explain a lot. I am a widow, at least in title. But after reading through some more six-word memoirs, I decide that if I only had six words, I wouldn't take widow. "The female version of Indiana Jones." That's not mine, that's an entry on page 29. It's brilliant. I want to be friends with that girl. Maybe she's a widow too and she just decided that her adventurous spirit was more important than her marital status."
The excerpt is long, but I love it. I especially love the last one: "The female version of Indiana Jones." I so want to steal that one myself. I'd like to think that I resemble that remark! I also love the part that says "Maybe she's a widow too and she just decided that her adventurous spirit was more important than her marital status." I am not a widow, but I am single. I have been single for longer than I expected, hence why I identify so much with the title "Not quite what I was planning." I was planning on being like my mom when I grow up. I thought I would marry by at least by 25, then buy a house with my husband, and then be a stay at home mom of 2.5 kids, with a mini van of course!! What I have planned has turned into, buying two houses on my own and traveling with other single friends like me. It has been wonderful in a lot of ways, just not quite what I had planned. I have recently decided that my adventurous spirit is more important than my marital status. I have decided I am not going to wait for someone to do things with. I am going to go do those things and not hold back, as much as depends on my bank account that is!!
So, what is your six word memoir? I would love to know. I have some of my own like: "No, I am not married,....yet.", and "No, I do not have kids." "I am not who you think." My six word memoir will surely change over time. So, like I said, what's yours?
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Mafia friend
I have been wanting to write this blog for awhile. It has been on my mind at least for awhile. I am more hesitant to write when I know others are actually reading my thoughts and words. (ie. editor Jamie! ;) ) It is intimidating! I am doing this for fun and catharsis more than anything. (With that said, my latest ramblings have to do with something I heard Anita Renfroe talk about in her comedy sketch).
This past March I went to see Mandisa and Anita Renfroe at a local church. For those who don't know them, Mandisa is a contemporary christian music artist and Anita is a Christian comedian. Anita did a sketch on Mafia friends and Bronco friends.
I would say that most people remember the whole OJ Simpson scandal/murder trial. She refers to Bronco friends as those friends who will "drive the Bronco" so to speak, when such an occasion should arise. Those 2am crisis situations where you need someone ASAP! There are only a select few (if your lucky), or only one, who will come to your aid at such a time.
She also spoke about Mafia friends. Mafia friends are those people that you have been friends with so long and that know so much about you, that if they ever decided to leave you would have to kill them!!! All of this is a joke, obviously, yet it holds true to a degree. That is why it is so funny. Anyway, after this event I couldn't help but consider who my mafia friend is and who my Bronco friends are.
I immediately thought of my best friend from high school, Nicky David, now Durachinsky.( I still worry if I spell it right! ) She is definitely my Mafia friend. We became friends in junior high and the friendship continued through high school until I moved to Georgia! (Shame on me.) Well, we had a lot of fun together and got into a lot of trouble as well. Just the connotation of the word 'Mafia' brings up the idea of secrecy and trouble and we had our fare share. I won't go into too much detail, but there was a lot of sneaking out of her house at 2am and rolling houses. Let's just say I am glad the cops went to HER house and not mine. I would have been crying and saying over and over: "I did it!, I did it!" I am not saying that some of the things we did were right, because they weren't, but we did do them and had fun. Sin is fun after all, otherwise we wouldn't be tempted to do it.
There was also the time we got drunk on her trampoline in her back yard. I know full well why people say don't mix beer and liquor..... Cringe. I tried to throw up in the closet, which I thought was the bathroom! Thankfully, she directed me to the toilet! I guess this is somewhat, or even majorly shocking for some people. I am not sure what to say, other than no one is what they seem or what you may perceive. I of course, am no longer in high school and no longer who I was then. I have since repented of my sin and given my life over to Christ fully. At that time, I was only a Christian in name and not action. I regret some of the things we did, although fun.
I also remember swimming in her pool, and going babysitting with her. I remember when she first met Dan, now her husband. I have a lot of great memories of spending time with Nicky and her family. Oh, I just remembered our Senior class trip to New York City. We had a blast seeing the sights and checking out the sailors. It was fleet week, lucky us! ;) I almost forgot about going to Prom, and my dress being velvet, crushing under my weight in the exact shape of my butt. How embarrassing! Throughout these experiences I remember her sarcasm and humor, and our friendship in general.
I miss my Mafia friend, the one who knows all the things I have done good and bad in high school. I thought I wouldn't be able to live without her. I remember threatening my parents that I was going to move back to Ohio the summer we left! A tough thing to do with no money, education, or job! It was a hard time for me, but I was able to move on in life. I will never forget her though, and the fun we had. Thankfully, I was able to see her twice after we moved. I was able to be the maid of honor in her wedding and go to Florida with them to Sanibel Island. I haven't seen her since those times. I hope someday to see her again. (I act like Ohio is in another country!). I would love to meet her two girls and see her whole family again. I love them all!
The rule with Mafia friends, is that if either one decides to stop being friends, the other one gets the axe! Haha. I don't think that will happen, but just in case, I will just have to make an offer she can't refuse. :)
This past March I went to see Mandisa and Anita Renfroe at a local church. For those who don't know them, Mandisa is a contemporary christian music artist and Anita is a Christian comedian. Anita did a sketch on Mafia friends and Bronco friends.
I would say that most people remember the whole OJ Simpson scandal/murder trial. She refers to Bronco friends as those friends who will "drive the Bronco" so to speak, when such an occasion should arise. Those 2am crisis situations where you need someone ASAP! There are only a select few (if your lucky), or only one, who will come to your aid at such a time.
She also spoke about Mafia friends. Mafia friends are those people that you have been friends with so long and that know so much about you, that if they ever decided to leave you would have to kill them!!! All of this is a joke, obviously, yet it holds true to a degree. That is why it is so funny. Anyway, after this event I couldn't help but consider who my mafia friend is and who my Bronco friends are.
I immediately thought of my best friend from high school, Nicky David, now Durachinsky.( I still worry if I spell it right! ) She is definitely my Mafia friend. We became friends in junior high and the friendship continued through high school until I moved to Georgia! (Shame on me.) Well, we had a lot of fun together and got into a lot of trouble as well. Just the connotation of the word 'Mafia' brings up the idea of secrecy and trouble and we had our fare share. I won't go into too much detail, but there was a lot of sneaking out of her house at 2am and rolling houses. Let's just say I am glad the cops went to HER house and not mine. I would have been crying and saying over and over: "I did it!, I did it!" I am not saying that some of the things we did were right, because they weren't, but we did do them and had fun. Sin is fun after all, otherwise we wouldn't be tempted to do it.
There was also the time we got drunk on her trampoline in her back yard. I know full well why people say don't mix beer and liquor..... Cringe. I tried to throw up in the closet, which I thought was the bathroom! Thankfully, she directed me to the toilet! I guess this is somewhat, or even majorly shocking for some people. I am not sure what to say, other than no one is what they seem or what you may perceive. I of course, am no longer in high school and no longer who I was then. I have since repented of my sin and given my life over to Christ fully. At that time, I was only a Christian in name and not action. I regret some of the things we did, although fun.
I also remember swimming in her pool, and going babysitting with her. I remember when she first met Dan, now her husband. I have a lot of great memories of spending time with Nicky and her family. Oh, I just remembered our Senior class trip to New York City. We had a blast seeing the sights and checking out the sailors. It was fleet week, lucky us! ;) I almost forgot about going to Prom, and my dress being velvet, crushing under my weight in the exact shape of my butt. How embarrassing! Throughout these experiences I remember her sarcasm and humor, and our friendship in general.
I miss my Mafia friend, the one who knows all the things I have done good and bad in high school. I thought I wouldn't be able to live without her. I remember threatening my parents that I was going to move back to Ohio the summer we left! A tough thing to do with no money, education, or job! It was a hard time for me, but I was able to move on in life. I will never forget her though, and the fun we had. Thankfully, I was able to see her twice after we moved. I was able to be the maid of honor in her wedding and go to Florida with them to Sanibel Island. I haven't seen her since those times. I hope someday to see her again. (I act like Ohio is in another country!). I would love to meet her two girls and see her whole family again. I love them all!
The rule with Mafia friends, is that if either one decides to stop being friends, the other one gets the axe! Haha. I don't think that will happen, but just in case, I will just have to make an offer she can't refuse. :)
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