The Coreopsis has started blooming. Susan gave it to me the day she heard Charlie had died. I was standing in my back yard when all of a sudden, there she was in my driveway holding the tender flowering plant.
And all of a sudden, two days ago there she was again in the Philadelphia airport!
Yes indeed. Susan came all the way especially and only to spend two full days just with me. Just like that!
I showed her my digs, including my newly-found beloved Longwood Gardens and even the Liberty Bell. All the loneliness vanished away as we talked and talked. I became animated and excited, passionate about my ideas again, as we shared our lives, feelings, thoughts, and beliefs, and, from time to time, fell into that kind of crazy laughter that only the old familiarity of souls remembers and understands. I had almost forgotten what it felt like to be cared for as Susan noticed, listened, and reacted to me whether it was opening doors wherever I went, or gently understanding when I became emotional about some news I had just received from a loved one. She reminded me about turning wishing for into anticipating and shared her love as wide openly as any friend has ever done.
Yesterday we sat on the porch together quietly watching in wonder as a goldfinch alighted on the bird bath and took a little sip before flying off like a flash of golden light into the trees.
This morning when I awoke it was strange to find no Susan and my old life back. But when I went outside, I noticed that two more bright, yellow flowers had opened up on the Coreopsis bush she gave me back in 2001.
Yes indeed, Heidi. A wise woman and a true friend!
Posted by: tamarika | June 24, 2006 at 06:55 AM
She reminded me about turning "wishing for" into "anticipating"
Susan is a wise woman, indeed! How lovely to have had such a good visit with your friend, Tamar.
Posted by: Heidi | June 23, 2006 at 11:09 AM