Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Through the Back Window
Almost 23 years ago, I met a girl with a big smile and blonde hair. We were in the same class in the fourth grade, and while I don’t remember very much about the fourth grade, I do remember that she invited me to her birthday party that summer. I remember this girl calling me on the phone to invite me and I remember being SO excited. The party was held at the Canby Pool and I bumped my head against another girls while attempting to swim on my back. That girl has been my best friend since then. For 22 years, there have been sleepovers, singalongs, tears, laughter, a senior trip to Hawaii, boyfriends, a wedding (hers), two babies (again, hers), an engagement (mine) and hours upon hours on the phone.
And, now she’s moving away.
During sleepovers in high school, we’d fall asleep signing (nerd alert!) one of the following: Stay by Lisa Loeb, When All the Stars Were Falling (also Lisa Loeb) or How Can I Help You to Say Goodbye by Patty Loveless (I come from a very small town, country music is REQUIRED). Part of the Patty Loveless song goes like this:
Through the back window of a `59 wagon
I watched my best friend Jamie slippin` further away
I kept on waving `till I couldn`t see her
And through my tears, I asked again why we couldn`t stay
Mama whispered softly, Time will ease your pain
Life`s about changing, nothing ever stays the sameAnd she said, How can I help you to say goodbye?
It`s OK to hurt, and it`s OK to cry
Come, let me hold you and I will try
How can I help you to say goodbye?
We sang this song before I left for UofO and this song has been in my head since she told me she was leaving.
I’m sad and I miss my Emily.
*photo taken June 1997 at Germaine’s Luau in Hawaii. Don’t hate on my overalls, you know you had them too.
Comments on this post
Awww, I hate when good friends move away.
Also, loving the overalls! :)
14. July - 8:35 amKristabella´s last [type] ..Do They Make Douchebag Stickers
Hopefully she is moving to a cool place to visit? But still, it’s always sad to lose a friend that’s close. I’ve seen my friendships change and grow in amazing ways since moving from CA to WA. I still wish I could see them more but in some ways, our relationship has deepened. I hope that happens for you too. A slight upswing to a sad state of affairs.
I used to live in overalls. And they weren’t even shorts overalls.
14. July - 8:37 amOh my gosh, this photo is CLASSIC. (And yes, I had the exact same overalls! Only, I was chunky so they looked terrible on me. Yours are so much better!)
Also, I’m dealing with this, nearly monthly, living in a transient city such as SF, where people rotate in and out every year it seems. It’s depressing and makes me not want to get close to anyone, as I know they’re just going to leave me as soon as I do! =(
14. July - 9:52 amCamels & Chocolate´s last [type] ..Going to the Chapel- The Ceremony
Sad! I hate when friends move away.
Also, Patty Loveless is my cousin. I AM NOT KIDDING.
14. July - 9:57 amKaleigha´s last [type] ..OOTD 071410 and some Anthropologie Items
It’s hard when friends move away (or in my case when you move away from all your friends). But you both have been friends for so long that I’m sure some aspects will change but you both will still remain close friends no matter what happens.
14. July - 11:50 amSarah´s last [type] ..I have a cat
I know what it’s like to have a best friend move away. My heart hurts for you.
16. July - 7:52 amIsabel´s last [type] ..In which you shouldn’t buy tickets without confirming with me first
I had the overalls and the Jack Purcells. I won’t make fun. I WOULD, however, like to point out how HUGE the sweatshirt is around your waist. I just spent a minute laughing really hard. Again, I love you.
16. July - 8:37 amJamie´s last [type] ..Three Little Words
I cannot even tell you how many times I have listened to that Patty Loveless song. I had it on perpetual repeat when I was in junior high.
I also had multiple dear dear friends move away, first in the 8th grade and then in high school as well. It never gets easier, but at least she’s still in Oregon? (Silver linings, silver linings!)
Hugs to you, friend.
19. July - 4:29 pmKerri Anne´s last [type] ..Little Darling- It Seems Like Years Since It’s Been Here