why it's a black and white day

Today's AuNaturAlice song:
Keane- Everybody's Changing

Great suggestion from Alice listener Shelby.... so thank you Shelby. I do love Keane.

Now, what do I mean by a black and white day? It is purely fashion-related. Ok, so it's more than that. A dear friend of mine that is longer actively in my life adored the simplicity of a black and white outfit. So much was this known to me, that every single time I wear just black and white, I think of him. He's not dead, nor did we have a falling out... he was a close friend that ended up not being permanant. Some close friendships end up this way... why? Who knows.

I have two friends that pop into my mind when I ponder the subject of friendship in a surprisingly temporary sense. One was a girl that I met through a very good guy buddy of mine. They dated for about 2 seconds, but her and I hit it off immediately and started hanging out. There was an instant comfort level between us. Not long after our friendship began, I got really ill and ended up in the hospital for a few weeks (long story... let's just say I'm short a kidney, but I've never been healthier!).

This girl just happened to be a nurse at that very hospital and she was there for me nearly every second. She was the most selfless person I had ever met and I was so grateful for her during that stressful time. She was like an angel who arrived right on time to guide me through a very ugly, scary time. I don't think us meeting was about us being bffs (as lame Paris would say)... I think somehow a bigger power knew I needed her.

Shortly after that, her life took her completely away from me. Her career, her relationships, her location. We weren't very good at keeping in touch for some reason. I don't know why we didn't try more. It's almost like we weren't meant to try. I don't know. I've seen her maybe twice in the past several years and each time, we are thrilled to see each other and we have a great time catching up and talking about our lives. But that's it. Strange.

My black and white friend and I had a very different friendship. There was no physical trauma. It was more of a simple person to person connection that you find with a kindred spirit (those are not around every corner, unfortunately).

Hard to explain this one, but it was more of a friendship that reminded me how to well... be myself! Helped me not take life quite so seriously all the time. How to just chill and learn that sometimes rollin' w/ it is ok! Easy enough, right? But sometimes we forget even the simplist things that bring us more joy in life and there are people (if we pay attention to them) that can re-teach us those very simple things.

I hope I meant as much to them as they did to me.

Every time I see the big 'ol ugly scar on my tummy, I think of the girl who braided my hair, painted my toenails, snuck me chocolate, got me moved to a corner room in the hospital and came to my home every day for a month making sure I was ok.... and every time I wear only black and white, I think of the friend that helped me remember some things about myself that I had forgotten in the big bustle that is LIFE. The friend that made me less afraid to just be me. Two so very different friendships, yet both so very special in my memories. Irreplaceable, really.

Well, enough pontificating for one day.

Thanks for reading!

xo,
Sam