March 1, 2004
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The First Day of the Rest of My Life
Today is the first day of my (semi)retirement and instead of going to work I have this day off. I’ll be working 4 days a week for the next few months, then going to half-time. So today besides some errands, I’m going to meet a friend for lunch and a movie. This is a new friend from the women’s group I’ve been attending over a year now at the local community center. She’s just a year older than I and she too is working on making friends. I’ve been thinking about friendship and how difficult it is to really sustain and nurture. Sometimes it seems to me like other people might be able to do it just like rolling off a log, but not me – and I think probably not them either. I looked up a wonderful description from a children’s book called Rosie and Michael by Judith Viorst. Here it is:
Rosie is my friend.
She likes me when I’m dopey and not just when I’m smart.
I worry a lot about pythons, and she understands.
My toes point in, and my shoulders droop, and there’s hair
growing out of my ears.
But Rosie says I look good.
She is my friend.Michael is my friend.
He likes me when I’m grouchy and not just when I’m nice.
I worry a lot about werewolves, and he understands.
There’s freckles growing all over me, except on my eyeballs
and teeth.
But Michael says I look good.
He is my friend.When my parakeet died, I called Rosie.
When my bike got swiped, I called Rosie.
When I cut my head and the blood came gushing out, as
soon as the blood stopped gushing, I called Rosie.
She is my friend.When my dog ran away, I called Michael.
When my bike got swiped, I called Michael.
When I broke my wrist and the bone was sticking out, as
soon as they stuck it back in, I called Michael.
He is my friend.Rosie would try to save me if there was a tidal wave.
She’d hunt for me if kidnappers stole me away.
And if I never was found again, she could have my
Instamatic.
She is my friend.Michael would try to save me if a lion attacked.
He’d catch me if I jumped from a burning house.
But if by mistake he missed the catch, he could have my
stamp collection.
He is my friend.
Deep Thought: A lot of times when you first start out on a project you think, This is never going to be finished. But then it is, and you think, Wow, it wasn’t even worth it.
Today I am grateful for: Sunshine
Comments (7)
I like that Rosie/Michael thing. It made me smile and I hope that what it was intended to do
Two props for you!
~Just a Random Reader
Hi Mom, Congrats on your day off and your starting semi-retirement. I know what you mean about the difficulties of friendship. Love, Jane
congratulations on the first day of your semi-retirement.
I find making friends incredibly difficult. What do you think is the reason it is hard for you? Infinite Blessings
Rosie & Michael seem to live in a neighborhood plagued by a bike theft ring. I think the police should increase patrols in their area. Kidding aside, I like that poem as a definition of friendship. I make friends better online, when they can’t see me.
I like how you start your first day of semi-retirment on a positive note, doing something fun. That says a lot about your attitude towards life.
I find friendships VERY hard to make and sustain. I don’t care for superficial “friendships.” To be honest, I just don’t like chit-chat. I hope you made a new friend.
The Rosie/Micheal thing is so simple, yet so true. Thanks for sharing.