Unforgettable memories with friends
Five ladies went out one night to love on a friend who was moving. They laughed, they danced, they had a perfect night. The friend felt loved. They bought her a shirt to commemorate that place and for years it comforted her. She cuddled into it happily many nights.
The first hole was small but it stretched and pulled and spread like a rash. The time came to throw it away. The friend cried to see it tossed in the trash and she mourned.
Have you ever been so attached to a physical item that you actually teared up to let it go?
I recognize the lameness of this story, I do. But if you had been there that night…
Girlfriends took me out to a Greek restaurant. A new and exciting experience.
A funny little man (remember the little part, it’ll matter) came and taught us group dances. We threw plates. There was belly dancing. Laughter. OPA!
The dance floor was clear and we were talking when this man, this crazy man, pulled my chair from behind into the center of the floor.
I suddenly dreamed of being invisible. He proceeded to dance around me, insisting I dance with him.
You should know, I have little rhythm and don’t enjoy being the center of attention.
But I played along. It was fun, until…
This man, this little man, suddenly reached around my waist and HOISTED me over his shoulder while dancing! My friends found this entertaining.
OPA! And we laughed.
This shirt reminded me of these people, this night. It was hard to let go, but it was time. Just like all “things”, they aren’t meant to last forever.
But the memory? It is sharp and vibrant. Full of color and life. It is well worn and still fits perfectly. Opa.
We are spread across miles and years and still I know, we will pick up again one glorious day. And celebrate ♥.
“Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.”
– Washington Irving
Friendship resources you might enjoy:
- The One Year Daily Acts of Friendship: 365 Days to Finding, Keeping, and Loving Your Friends
- After the boxes are unpacked
- Messy Beautiful Friendship: Finding and Nurturing Deep and Lasting Relationships
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Enjoyed your story Christa! The truth is, memories are fleeting. But they always stay with us. My wife & I talk about wishing we could bottle up certain memories & then opening them up later.
Maybe that will happen in Heaven 🙂
Something to look forward to Dave
I don’t get the chance to get together with my sisters very often anymore, but when we would we would spend most of the time laughing. It was always a great mystery to our husbands.
Husbands don’t seem to get the laughter of ladies sometimes 🙂 A great gift it is
Oh, I so love this. I really do. I can totally relate to getting attached to an object because of all the memories behind it. Thank you for sharing this <3.
Thank YOU Talia
I love this story. I have been to Greek Fest with friends and there is just something about the Greek dancing and yelling OPA! It’s just fun stuff. 🙂 I have so many memories of times with friends, many from traveling and I have trouble throwing away post cards and magnets I have collected from my travels. In fact I keep them in a box in the attic. I also have old college t-shirts that I can’t part with. But the truth is, even if I threw those things away it would be okay because I have the memories. And the memories are what matter.
Even though we “know” this with our brains, our hearts place a lot of value on the tangible reminders doesn’t it?
Well, you did it this time. Got me to shed a tear. While I was laughing at the same time. Not unusual when I reminisce about the times past when our family was young and all lived near each other. Many goodbyes as little ones grew up and moved out into the world to spread their wings, but wonderful memories to warm our hearts forever. Thank you for this; it’s beautiful.
A tear inducer? A tremendous compliment for a writer sharing emotion. Thanks Grandma
Absolutely loved this. And yes, sometimes even though we have the memory folded and tucked away it’s nice to touch something tangibly and remember the sights, the smells. I have a little compact case and knowing my mom looked into the very mirror I now look into, it’s special.
Opa. I can understand how that was fun and festive, since I’m greek.
Anne, what a special thing! That brought tears to MY eyes