Monday, January 25, 2010

A Note From Sarah

Sarah and me in '73

My heart is heavy tonight. I've lost one of my dearest friends.
Although Sarah Mae had been in declining health for years, I had no idea the end was near. My previous post is about the trials and tribulations of our first job, and a little over a year ago I posted about our days at business college (Mutt & Jeff).
Memories of our times together have been running through my head all day. And tonight, as I was thumbing through my old high school yearbook, I came across something I had forgotten: a note on the last page.
March 11, 1958
Dear Brenda,
When you sit down and start to write something like this, the first thing you do is start recalling all of the wonderful years that have gone by. During our twelve years together, I can remember more good things than bad. Such things as the many times one of us was sick and had to take the other home, staying out of school and sneaking down to the cafeteria to get stewburgers. We never accomplished anything by doing those things, but it sure was fun, wasn't it?
Yes, those were the days, and we're still making memorable events in our last year of school. I think the thing I will remember most about it is your constant chatter about 0*. How could I ever forget when I'm reminded of it every hour on the hour we're together? But I don't mind. In fact, I enjoy it. To this, "best wishes," and I do think someday in the near future you will have satisfaction.
You know, we haven't always run around together, but it seems like we've been best friends for our lifetime up to now. Oh I can think of ever so many wonderful things that we've done together since we were "silly" sophomores, our trip to Kentucky Lake junior year, hayrides, and ballgames.
I only hope that we will always be as close as we are now. Maybe we will because, after all, we're going to have to live together in Memphis!
Love always,
Sarah Mae
PS When you get old and ugly and your friends turn to someone new, remember you will have one friend who is old and ugly too.

13 comments:

Suzanne said...

Lovely tribute. So sorry.

iamdford said...

I know your heart is hurting, but I feel confident that you are not alone with that pain. I hope you take comfort in that there are holes in the floor of Heaven. This dear lady, I feel sure, is not gone. She's simply different. Through you, and those who loved her, she shall never truly leave. This is a wonderful memorial to your friend; although I never knew her, I have a strong inclination that she would have appreciated this. I am sincerely sorry for your loss; I am also sorry for the light the world has lost, but I find comfort in the gain Heaven now has.

I trust that you also find solace in the fact that you inspire others. Despite my lack of wisdom I hope one day I, too, can look back and compose a heart-felt tribute to my fortunate life. Thank you for giving me hope in that dream.

I'll be praying for you.

Brenda said...

Suzanne: Thanks, sweetie. And thanks for being there for me today.

Derrick: Thanks so much for your kind, thoughtful words. Bless you.

Chris said...

So sorry for your loss, Brenda.

Brenda said...

Thanks, Chris.

Anonymous said...

The job story was delightful.

How very difficult to lose a lifelong friend. You keep needing to tell them things.

You must have been a good friend too if Sarah Mae remained a friend all these years.

"Old and ugly too" . . . not there yet! Not even close.

Did you two live in the same town? (after Memphis, I mean.)

Brenda said...

Thanks, Mary! :)

Sarah Mae stayed in Paducah and I lived in Chicago and Bloomington, IL for years. By the time I moved back to Paducah, she was back in the small town where we grew up.

We never moved to Memphis; we took our parents' advice and went to business college instead. We roomed together, and I have so many great memories of those days...

Rhonda Hartis Smith said...

Brenda,
Sorry to hear of your loss. . .

Brenda said...

Thanks so much, Rhonda.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

My condolences Brenda. I know it is hard to lose a childhood friend.

Brenda said...

Thanks so much, Pat.

Lorrie said...

Brenda I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend Sarah Mae. There's something very special about friendships that have lasted from childhood days--those friends are connected to us in a way that no others ever can be. I love reading the yearbook letter she wrote.

Brenda said...

Thank you, Lorrie. You are so right about the deep connections we have with childhood friends...

All words and pictures © 2008 Brenda G. Wooley