There are friends that come and go in your lifetime – people you connect with because you share a common interest, job, situation – and they slip away. Not forgotten or any less liked – you just move on. Then there are friends that you have for a lifetime.
I am so blessed in that I have four beautiful, funny, smart, supportive friends that are absolutely stuck with me because they are my sisters. There is just a bond there – a collection of memories, dna, philosophies, recipes and, let’s face it – shared physical characteristics, that keeps up together. Even though we can get on each other’s last nerve. Shared worries, shared joys. We are stuck with each other and would have it no other way.
Blessed, indeed.
I also have a cousin – who actually came into our family by marriage about 20-some odd years ago but I’ve known her since I was three years old. We met her family in Argentina in the early 60’s and our families’ paths crossed a number of times until finally she just married my cousin and formally (and legally) became one of us. Claudia has sat with us, when my parents were in intensive care for one reason or another, and we just told the nurses – yes she was one of the sisters – she had just as much right as us to be there. She held our hands, calmed up, cheered us on. She is wickedly funny too. And beautiful like you would not believe. I really feel it was destined she would be part of our family. Another blessing.
And there are those that don’t have to stick with you just because you are related (and may have recriminating information about you…) but are just as treasured. My friend Rhonda – my best friend – who answers my questions before I even ask them, who I can call at 2:00am to ask ‘what was the name of the actor that played the second Steven Carrington in Dynasty" and won’t hang up on me, who knows how much I really weigh, and how many glasses of wine I really drink (and doesn’t hold it against me), who knows, just by looking at me, what kind of mood I am in. Another blessing.
This post was meant to be about postcards and I haven’t been able to work in a word about them.
The cards above were sent to me by my niece’s best friend, Becca. That’s where I was going. What is a best friend but someone that knows your AUNT loves vintage postcards and sends them to her. And not only that but finds (and BIDS) on one with her family name. Becca is Sara’s treasured, and lifelong friend. I would like to co-op her as my friend – she is brainy, funny, insightful and obviously has a generous spirit.
Anyhoo – I wonder if we are distantly related to these people:
Do you do that? Look for things you know will bring a little spark to someone else’s life? That is what a friend does.
Lovely post. I feel blessed too. Now if I only had friends besides my sisters… If revealing one’s true weight is a criteria, I will die alone.
Now, as to the picture of the folks in front of the market—the younger boy is a dead ringer for Rick! The tendency for huge ears must be a recessive trait which he has not inherited.
Becca is truly awesome. Very thoughtful, and loves to share her passions. She’s been meaning to mail these for some time, I’m glad she did! She calls me and says “So there is this vintage postcard on eBay with your Andrea’s last name, you think she might like that?”
UM. Yeah!
p.s. I posted about Bec today too, on my blog!
The whole entry is lovely. Text and photos.
Mari-Nanci
I like you even if I didn’t have to…
I love your photos and your sense of buying it because some day you’ll use it. I too do this. These things of creative wonder go into my “magic closet” in hopes of coming out as a loving gift for a special friend or relative. Don’t feel bad about doing something with it now. When the timing is right, the urge will hit and presto! a masterpiece will be born. Your blog is inspiring.
I love to visit your blog. It is just so pretty. I am lucky enough to have friends like yours and I hope they feel the same way about me.
Thoughfulness is a dying art–it is so wonderful to read such stories of friendship. Your blog is a treat to read–sort of like getting a new issue of “Victoria” magazine in the mail again. . .I so miss that!
I’m so glad you liked the cards! ^_^ I just had to get them for you, after you were so kind to send me some of your lovely old French cards from the 1910s. And I almost fell over when I ran across the Paulin Market card–I just had to get that for you, it was too perfect to pass up! What little information I know about it came from the seller’s auction page on ebay, where I found this. If memory serves, the card is supposed to be a real photo postcard of somewhere in Kansas. From their outfits, I would guess the time period to be anywhere between 1920-1940? Hard to tell, though, since the people weren’t all that easy to see, not without a magnifying glass, I imagine.
You are definitely a friend in my book! I had so much fun with you at the wedding! ^__^ Hopefully I’ll come down soon, and maybe you and Sara and I can go to Pinkie’s or some fun window shopping. What a treat that would be!