Saturday, June 30, 2007

What better way to start the first long weekend of the summer?

After my pedicure, (where I got two unexpected 'treats'; little flower decals on my big toes and a 15 minute back massage!) I met 5 friends for dinner, a chick flick and a long chat in the coffee shop afterwards: Some of us with soft hearts cried.
The rest of us didn't.

I was one who did. Not because the mom was dying. Not because of the relationship between her and her daughters.

But because of the friendship between two friends that went back 50 years. When Meryl Streep crawled into bed with a dying Vanessa Redgrave, I got choked up.

I am likely not going to get married again.
So if I die a slow bed-death, I will probably do it alone. None of my sons are the kind that would snuggle up to a wrinkled, greasy gray haired, old woman. (Even if she did sacrifice her best years to raising them.)
Would any of my friends?
Would I want them to?
At this point, I can't even imagine sharing a hotel room with any of them - will there come a day when I would welcome their gentle touch and their presence in my bed? Maybe if it was Meryl Streep ...

How long have I had intimacy problems?

On a different note, but still related to this topic - did you know that Meryl Streep's daughter plays the role of young Lily and Meryl Streep plays the role of older Lily. PERFECT casting. And Natasha Richardson plays the role of Vanessa Redgrave's daughter, and she really IS Vanessa Redgrave's daughter.

Just thought I'd mention that. In case, you know, you care.

Now, before I sign off with my three things I'm thankful for, I thought I'd pass along a heartwarming story that my friend, Sherry sent me this week:

DO ELEPHANTS REALLY HAVE MEMORIES?

In 1986, Mkele Mbembe was on holiday in Kenya after graduating
fromNorthwestern University. On a hike through the bush, he came across a young bullelephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, soMbembe approached it very carefully.He got down on one knee and inspected the elephant's foot and found alarge piece of wood deeply embedded in it.

As carefully and as gently as he could, Mbembe worked the wood out with his hunting knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot.The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments.

Mbembe stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away.

Mbembe never forgot that elephant or the events of that day. Twenty years later, Mbembe was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Mbembe and his son Tapu were standing. The large bull elephant stared at Mbembe, lifted its front foot off the ground, then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man.

Remembering the encounter in 1986, Mbembe couldn't help wonderingif this was the same elephant. Mbembe summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder. The elephant trumpeted again,wrapped its trunk around one of Mbembe's legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly.

Probably wasn't the same elephant.

Three things I'm thankful for:
1. The relaxing way this summer has started. Yay for friends. And estheticians who give out treats.
2. The rain is not bothering me as much as I thought it would.
3. I can sleep in again tomorrow.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

That elephant story was just disturbing!

Was I the only one of your readers who was gullible enough to get warm fuzzy feelings assuming Mbembe would pick up the elephants foot and see the scar and then the elephant would pick up Mbembe with his trunk and slide him up to sit on top of him and then use his elephant ears to fly like Dumbo back to home in Africa?

Sigh.

I like my version better.

Enjoy your long weekend Jane.
Love S

My Thots said...

Lucky you, pedi, treats, dinner, movie and friends. Sounds like it was a good movie. I think I'll see it sometime this summer.
Happy Canada Day!!

raych said...

AH hahahahahah, oh jeez. If anyone were here right now, they'd ask what I was laughing at, and then I'd read them this story aloud. Oh man. I have to email this to my sister.

Shannon said...

Jane!

I love your blog. LOVE.

Also - remind me on Tuesday at work that I have something to tell you.


Back to your blog - My favourite-est thing in the whole universe is authenticity - people being REAL. You do that. That's why I like your blog.

Because even though I'm at a totally different stage in my life, it's so comforting to read about someone who may not have it altogether all the time, and who asks hard questions and has emotional break downs sometimes and loves her friends and and and... Keeps on keeping on.

I want to say I'm proud of you, but it sounds kind of silly - or at least it feels weird to want to say that. But really, you are incredible and even though we barely talk at work, I'm excited about having met you and I am enjoying getting to know you through your blog and the infrequent times we do chat at work.



Don't forget to remind me! I bet it'll make you laugh...