live mat and forgetful sam

Today's AuNaturAlice song:
Mat Kearney- Undeniable
Recorded- October 2006 in the Alice Studio

Alice listener Lori picked the song today and I'm always happy to play Mat anyway. I joke to my girlfriends about having a list of "pretend" boyfriends. I'm not one to normally faun over celebs (actors and such), but I do find my pretend boyfriends are quite often musicians. Guess it makes sense since music is pretty much my life.

Anyway, Mat has always been high on the list. Of course he's cute, but that's not really his big appeal to me. He's also intelligent, loves wine and enjoys foreign films. He always has a plethora of suggestions in that department. From the first time I was introduced to Mat, he was scribbling down movie titles on a cocktail napkin, insisting they would change my life.

The lyric in his tune I played today (Undeniable) that mentions February 5th always reminds me of the time I forgot my friends birthdays. I mean plural because I have 3 friends who were born on that day. Two of them are good friends of mine. The other is the best girlfriend I've ever had in my life and probably ever will have.

A few years back I was going through a stressful time and February 5th came and went and it never occurred to me that I had completely missed their birthdays. And I NEVER forget stuff like that. Especially not with the people that mean the most to me.

Anyhow, two days later, my best girlfriend called and asked if I was ok. I answered that yes, I was fine. I was stressed, but nothing I couldn't handle. She paused on the phone and said "Well, for the past 10 plus years, you have always been the first phone call I get on my birthday. I am worried that you aren't ok."

I remember looking up at my wall calendar and having one of those slow-motion movie moments of complete horror. I saw that it was February 7th. I was in tears as I told her I was the worst friend ever and could she ever forgive me? Of course she forgave me. She's my best friend. She understood... she got it... she wasn't in the least bit hurt or mad or bitter at me. She was worried about ME. Now, that is a true friend.

I called my other friends after I composed myself and faced the music. The guy friend didn't even notice I'd forgotten (of course... guys) and my other girl pal was so angry, she gave me the cold shoulder for quite a while. It said a lot about our friendship I suppose and it's not quite been the same since. It's odd when you discover which of the people in your life will accept your stupid mistakes (big or small) and still love and support you while others will hold onto things and judge you mercilessly for your mistakes (big or small). Maybe things like that help make me a more understanding, patient and non-judgmental person.

Incidently, when you are so stressed you cannot even remember your own best friend's birthday, it's time to take a vacation. I scheduled my first real vacation that very day. I went to Oahu and it was just what I needed.

Thanks for reading.

xo,
Sam