Kevin gave me this concrete frog years ago. Mister Frog likes to play his guitar for the birds and gnomes. We’ve been through a lot together—Mister Frog and me. I love him dearly.
I don’t particularly like talking on the phone, but I’ve had to develop a tolerance since that’s the main way we keep in touch with old friends and family. There’s email, too (which I suppose, being the tongue-tied sort, I prefer) but I do like the immediate response—the give and take—of a phone conversation. Of course, we do visit each other from time to time, but time and/or money are often short.
My old friend Kevin called last week. We’ve known each other for 34 years now. I actually met him fleetingly when I was a teenager and he played a folk concert in our town. I went up afterwards to tell him that I loved the way he sang the shaped-note hymn, Devotion. It was a pleasant conversation, but I never dreamed we’d become close friends years later when he came as a North Carolina Artist-in-Residence to our small community near the Pamlico Sound. We had a mutual love of yard ornaments, with a particular penchant for anthropomorphized frogs, so spent many happy hours driving in the countryside there where yard ornaments adorned almost every yard.
It had been a while since we talked, so I was especially glad to hear from him. We both love corny jokes, and he always manages to make me laugh. This time, he told me about his upcoming retirement from the library (he’s now a librarian), what was blooming at his house, and about the two young sisters who often bring him homemade cookies at the library.
It was lovely, and I hung up feeling happy. I value all my friends, old and new, but a friendship that has stood the test of time and distance is special. I am grateful for friends, old and new and for happy phone calls from friends that come out of the blue, often just when you need them.
Blue Ridge Blue Collar Girl 
July 22, 2012 at 8:21 pm |
Oh how special, Beth…. I’m not much of a phone person either —but do agree that sometimes, it’s the best way to catch up with old friends… I’m an email person but many of my friends are not…. SO—if I am to talk to them, I have to use the phone…. Sounds like your friend is a great guy. SO glad you talked to him… We are SO grateful for old friends..
Hugs,
Betsy
July 22, 2012 at 8:22 pm |
Man, I love that feeling. It’s hard to find someone to connect with in some times and some places. That’s going to keep me level all the way through my new job transition, even as I find new connections. The transition is awesome but scary all at once.
July 23, 2012 at 10:08 am |
Well, well, well … more similarities between us. Officially, this is Donna’s cat, but it’s outside our patio door and a way for people to find which apartment is ours. We’ve named the cat Joan Baez, and you can see her here:
http://bonniesbooks.blogspot.com/2011/12/saturday-snapshot-guitar-cat.html
July 23, 2012 at 7:07 pm |
Another quirk we have in common; I’m not a phone-person either. How wonderful to receive that out-of-the-blue call; I can feel your smile when you wrote this. 🙂
July 23, 2012 at 8:49 pm |
Beth, I’m starting to feel like we were twins separated at birth! LOL however, I think you’re younger than me…you weren’t born in ’61 were you? 😉
July 23, 2012 at 9:01 pm |
Beth, do you really exist, or are you some alter ego I’ve created and I’m simply writing these posts? 🙂 Hahahaha… We are so similar that it’s uncanny. I am definitely not a phone person, either, but sometimes we have no choice but to use it. Like in this case. Nothing like speaking to an old dear friend. That is something to be very grateful for.