I don't think I was under any delusion that life in the U.S. would stop altogether while I was gone. I accepted early on that people would keep going to work, eating and sleeping and ::sigh:: even having fun without me. But I don't remember giving people permission to keep having all these life events while I'm thousands of miles away. And yet, my small circle of loved ones seems to be having a tremendously eventful summer. In the past few weeks:
- A friend got engaged
- A family friend got married
- OFH started his senior year of college
- So did my baby sister -- yikes!
- A close friend moved to DC
- A friend left my company and moved back to NYC
- Another moved to a new apartment in NYC
- At least three friends got their first grown-up jobs
- One good friend had a painful breakup
- A friend was officially cured of cancer, six years after I sat in her hospital room
- THREE favorite people, including the best friend who was already too far away, moved from NYC to Boston so two of them can get Ph.Ds or some ridiculous thing
- I lost one intolerable coworker from my very small office and gained a wonderful one
- One good friend moved to NYC to start law school
Maybe that's the normal rate of life, but it sure feels like the world is on fast-forward back there, and it makes me feel left out! Gchat and phone calls are wonderful, but I would give anything to have been there for any one of these events or these people. Last night one of the new Boston residents was describing a hilarious scene involving four of them hauling stuff into a fourth-floor walkup because the movers weren't going to get it all done, and it actually made my heart ache. I've got all these people describing their new lives -- new homes, jobs, relationship statuses, etc. -- and I just want to be there to lug boxes or hang pictures or buy beers. I want to feel like I'm being a good friend to people who should have good friends around, and it's hard to do that from here. I'm having flashbacks to freshman year, when I had a huge fear of being left out by my older, cooler friends.
So I have a request: can you all start having more boring lives for a couple of weeks? I'll be back soon, and hopefully you'll all be willing to help me play catch-up in person. But honestly: no more moves, no more weddings/engagement/breakups, no more new
anything. Just for three weeks, okay?
Love,
Briony
3 comments:
Sweet friend of mine, reading this makes my eyes well up! I swear you didn't want to be there to lug those boxes, but I would have really liked to have had you around to buy you a drink afterward. We have to make this happen soon, as soon as you get back, as soon as humanly possible -- ok? And maybe you'll just keep having your incredible adventure, in the safest possible way, until then?
love, M.
Believe me when I say that I wholeheartedly endorse this plan. Or at least, as it pertains to me. I've had quite enough "excitement" of late, thank you very much.
greenwell: i'm likely the most boring friend you have. all i've done since you went to iraq was get a puppy. so i'm holding up my end of the bargain and you can relax a little.
have enjoyed the posts and stories. keep up the good work and stay safe.
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