While I mourn the ending of my marriage, I marvel at the buoyancy of friendships. And, oh, how I have appreciated the insightfulness, vision, and humor of my good friends and family. I am especially grateful to those, who through their memories and storytelling, have helped me to remember who I once was and what once brought me joy!
These people have been on the other end of the rope, dragging me back to shore over the past two years. They have not let me drown. Every memory, every insight, every laugh we have shared has been a twine in the lifeline thrown to me.
My friend Dee and I have been talking at least twice a week since Chaz left our marriage. Much of the time, we have to leave messages. Somehow, spontaneously, we each have created a theme song for the other. So, now, when we have to leave a message, we sing the song, in the rousing tone of kindergarteners who thrill at the tune and the rhyme of a new song.
Hearing that message cracks me up. As does my sister’s message, when she starts laughing and telling me how much my voice message sounds exactly like my mother’s. My sister is the only person who can make me laugh until I cry. What a purging those moments provide.
Soon, I will be visiting a city where I will see at least six friends from various parts of my life. All have listened to me moan and groan over and over and over again, and still are willing to spend time with me! Friendship is very forgiving. I am so psyched!
In anticipation, I have been singing friendship songs--of a certain era. In no particular order, here are my top ten, plus two:
1. With a Little Help from My Friends—The Beatles
2. You’ve Got a Friend—written by Carole King (sung by both King and James Taylor)
3. Old Friends—Simon and Garfunkel
4. Reach Out, I’ll Be There—The Four Tops
5. Lean on Me—Bill Withers
6. Stand by Me—Ben E. King
7. That’s What Friends are For—Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, and Elton John
8. Ya Gotta Have Friends—Bette Midler in her divine Miss M days
9. A Bridge Over Troubled Water—Simon and Garfunkel
10. In My Life—the Beatles
Plus Two:
11. Make New Friends but Keep the Old—a Girl Scout song, sung in a round.
12. The More We Get Together (the Happier We’ll Be) (A kindergarten song--to be sung loudly and enthusiastically.)
(Am I the only one who thinks the best songs came from my youth? Do you have any songs you want to add the list?)
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