Ok, so here’s part two...
A couple of weeks ago, when everything got crazy, I started having a "Calgon, take me away!" crisis moment. I mean, I really, really needed a break. But...alas...no moolah. So I’m in the middle of this discussion with my sister, and I tell her, what I really, really need is to go to NC to visit my friends Bonnie and Scott for a few days. She agrees. Problem is...no moolah. Oh, well, right? I can dream...
...except...God has a funny way of hearing the prayers you think you’ve kept to yourself.
The day after this conversation, I get this text message from my NC friend, Bonnie, which says..."If I give you gas money, will you come see me?"
Say what...?
Yep. I read it right. Uh...yeah, I think I can manage that.
So I made arrangements to go up this past weekend. I left on Thursday night, just after work, and got up there about midnight. Great trip up, made good time. I was so happy to be there again! It’s just like going home for me. The place where everything just feels...right. Everybody’s got one, that’s mine, I guess.
Anyway, we got up Friday morning, and headed down to Atlantic Beach, which is about an hour away. The weather was beautiful, temp perfect for a stroll on the beach, enjoying the scenery, snapping pics, collecting shells, and sharing great company. We also toured the fort that’s there...again. Fort Macon is a Civil War fort that was built right on the beach, and was used all the way through WWII. It’s still incredibly preserved, and if you ever get the chance to go, I highly recommend it!
After that, we had cocktails and dinner at my favorite restaurant, the Channel Marker, which sits right on the water. Awesome!
Saturday was spent being really, really lazy. A couple of errands, and a trip to the cemetery to put out some flowers on my late hubby’s grave, and we spent the rest of the day catching up and reminiscing. Kinston is one of the most peaceful places on the planet, I think. Flat coastal land stretching out so far in places you can see the curvature of the earth, with freshly-turned fields of the blackest, richest dirt you can imagine. Mostly cropland, in the summer you can go by miles upon miles of fields full of tobacco, cotton, corn and soybeans, robust, and ready for harvest. The people are so friendly, they’ve never met a stranger...and no matter how long you’ve been gone, they never, ever forget you.
Sunday morning came all too soon. Before I knew it, we were having to say goodbye so I could get on the road to come home...which I did, right after they loaded me up with baby stuff for Harmony. We laughed and cried all weekend long, and I cannot tell you how much I missed them the second they were out of sight.
Few people are blessed with people in their lives they can call true...really true...friends. I have been very blessed, and with more than just these two. But these two are very, very special, indeed. They are the oldest, and will always have a special place in my heart. Together, we have been through the best...and the worst...of times. And yet, in spite of it all, we’re still here for each other. And I know that we always will be.
Tomorrow, they will celebrate their 20th anniversary. I will not be there to share it with them in person, but they know I will be there in spirit, to wish them many, many more.
I love you guys so much. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you for always being there. Happy, happy anniversary!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment