When “Best” is not enough

Today I celebrate the birth of my best friend. We have known each other for over 30 years and have lived a lot of life during that time.  I titled this “when best is not enough” because in all honesty, “Best Friend” is inadequate to describe how much I appreciate and have come to rely on this person in my life. When I “Googled” the definition of best friend I read some very interesting definitions; all of which are true of our relationship, but still not adequate to describe how awesome she is.  The only definition which came close was “a person who you value above other friends in your life, someone you have fun with, someone you trust and someone in whom you confide.” (yourdictionary.com)

In the past 30+ years, we have: camped in the rain, and driven on dirt roads that we probably shouldn't have. We have been to three countries, two continents, seen two oceans and visited numerous states. Experienced some of the nastiest bathrooms along the way; at one point she started a collection of photos of me coming out of port-a-potties and wooded spots we had stopped at for rest areas! Over the years I have likened our friendship to the Disney characters, Buzz and Woody. Can you guess who is who? Let me give you a hint, she is down to earth and has often saved me from flying off to infinity and beyond. (Watch Toy Story if you don’t understand.) There are so many more stories to be told and many more to be lived, since we are both of tender, young years! But let’s suffice it to say, no one could ask for a better traveling companion through the adventure called life. 

One of the saddest things I read in researching what the definition of “Best Friend” came from an article on Wikipedia.  “According to a study documented in the June 2006 issue of the American Sociological Review, Americans are thought to be suffering a loss in the quality and quantity of close friendships since at least 1985. The study states that one quarter of all Americans have no close confidants, and that the average total number of confidants per person has dropped from four to two.”

I am indeed saddened to think there are people out there who do not have the excellent support system I have. In addition to my biological family, I have through the years developed friendships that exceed the above mentioned average; with this one bestie at the center. One person referred to a best friend as “precious and rare.”  I wholeheartedly agree, and to have a true best friend is something to be valued above all else. I’m not certain what I would do without her. With the statistics saying 1 in 4 people don’t have what I have, the statistics showing a rise in Mental Illness makes more sense. We all need people in our lives that we can turn to and I pray that all would have at least one, if not more.

In closing, I just want to wish my best friend a very happy birthday!  I am happy you were born and continue to be my friend; “best” just isn't enough to describe you. Now, go eat cake!

A Long Trip

Family History Writing Challenge - Day 25

** NOTE: The italicized font is creative non-fiction. Based upon the stories of my mother and uncle it is my creative writing of their memories. **

Mason’s hair flipped in the wind as she tilted her head to look at the road out in front. The sun shone bright on Wells and Mason as they sat in the rumble seat of the Buick on their way to Connecticut and a visit with mommy’s family. They had left first thing in the morning; mommy, daddy, the two kids and another man daddy had asked to come to help him with the long drive.  Leaving the ocean behind, the kids waved at the Crane’s house on the corner of Rte 189 as they turned on to Rte 1 toward Ellsworth. A short ways down the road Mason looked to her right at the sparkling water of Gardner Lake and thought of the children that had died in a boating accident there, while at a school picnic a few years before in 1936. A shiver went through her as she remembered going to a wake of one of the children. She also remembered the sound of one of mommy’s sisters in Connecticut who had called, frantic because she had heard of the accident on the news. Fearing that Mason and Wells were some of the children lost, mommy’s sisters had tried for hours to make contact. The news had said it was a school in South Lubec, but the report in Connecticut had been wrong. 

The air had warmed up, now that they weren't directly on the ocean. Onward they went through Machias, and Columbia Falls. Mason spied a big mural painted on the side of building in Cherryfield. She carefully turned in her seat to look better at the painting of a bear crossing a river on a felled tree with a salmon in its mouth, what a beautiful picture she thought.  Onward the car went, past Unionville, Milbridge and Steuben; out of Washington County. Mason shifted trying to get a bit more comfortable in the rumble seat, being careful though to keep the two kittens, Passie-May and Quoddy, safe and out of trouble.  They were bringing the kittens to Connecticut to give to their aunts.

As they came to a stop in Ellsworth, Wells turned and saw a Limousine with a uniformed driver behind them. The car was big and sleek and the driver looked so official, Wells turned around fully in his seat. Soon he was kneeling and gawking (his eyes as big around as saucers) at the scene behind him; never had he seen such a sight.  The driver realizing Wells was staring smiled a big wide grin at him as the cars pulled away from each other.  Wells turned back around thinking how much nicer it would be to ride in that car, rather than this rumble seat with his sister and two cats, it was going to be a long trip!