As I was cleaning out a couple of drawers this morning, I found an old phone book from about 25 years ago. In that little pink book were the names I haven't thought of in probably that same amount of time, and there were also several people listed that I have no recollection of ever knowing. No doubt I did know them at some point, but hard pressed to remember their faces. There were also stores listed that no longer exist, but those were the days of shopping for wants not needs.
Unfortunately, there were also names of too many people who aren't alive anymore. Family members and friends from school, work and other places and times in my life. Some died young and others lived very full lives. A bit shocking to see so many in one little pink book. I was grateful for the unexpected time to think about them again and enjoyed immersing myself in the 80s and 90s.
But the best part of finding this relic was how many friends in that little pink book are still in my life, albeit most with new and many more phone numbers. Some have been constant fixtures and others have had extended breaks...but all can be called friends. Having friendship's with history, whether it's 5 years or 25 years, is to be treasured.
As I read each page for more memories, I couldn't help but giggle at the neatly written entries. My handwriting since the computer has been anything but legible. In years to come, with all contacts safely stored in our computers, people won't have the opportunity to find a little pink book while cleaning out a drawer...that's unfortunate since it made cleaning out the drawer this morning a little more fun.
a bit like finding a terrain map of a place you wandered -- evokes what we remember and that sweet strange feeling over what we do not remember but of which there is clear evidence.
ReplyDeleteperhaps "coagulations" of computer files will serve the same function without the handwriting.