Friday, July 20, 2012

A Very Special Gift


A few weeks ago I was listening to the radio and heard the Fifth Dimension (one of my favorite bands) singing “Aquarius” and suddenly I was transported back to 1969 remembering someone in my past who was such an incredible mentor to me.
 Over the next few days I couldn’t get her off my mind as I would remember so many conversations about things like her favorite books, new discoveries she’d made or her favorite classes in school.  She had a boyfriend and her own sports car.  She was a beautiful, kind, teenager with a great spirit and tremendous sparkle.  I was four years younger and I admired everything about her and would listen to everything she shared, always making mental notes, taking every word to heart.  We drove together to a neighboring city twice a week to take dance classes.  During this time we spent a lot of time together and I’m still amazed that she never seemed to have gotten annoyed with me.  Instead she encouraged me.
 Over the next few days more thoughts and memories from that period of time would come to mind so I finally decided to try to find an address or contact information so that I could write to her.  It really felt good to sit down and write a note of thanks to her for the years friendship and mentoring that she’d given me at that time in my life.  Even as I think about her now I’m still amazed that a junior in high school would speak about books she’d read by John Steinbeck with such excitement or cry as she talked about the love of the boy when discussing The Velveteen Rabbit.  I’d never known someone with such passion and knew these were remarkable memories.  At the time it was astonishing that a teenager would discuss a children’s book.

Yesterday you cannot imagine how surprised I was to find a package from her in my mailbox.  Inside the package was a book, a card and a note from this enchanting friend and mentor.
 Of course it is one of John Steinbeck’s and one page in the book was flagged for me to note a section of text.  She still shares her enthusiasm.  One very special book has just moved to the top of my summer reading list and I can promise you that this book will always be treasured. 
 The best part of the package was her sweet message back to me.  So here we are more than forty years later and even now I still look up to her.

13 comments:

  1. Absolutely beautiful . . . Something like this puts me in "goose bumps." The importance of "connections" in our life means the world to me. The fact you were the "connector" to your younger mentor, says says a whole lot about you . .

    And then there is the "art" of "the blog" and that you shared this with us . . . beautiful . . .

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  2. Reaching out like that - following an instinct - can be so rewarding. Two gifts here - the gift you gave yourself, of memory and gratitude...and the gift you gave your mentor.

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  3. Such a sweet story, Cheryl. I'm glad you found your friend again and reconnected. Reaching out to friends we've lost touch with is important. ;-)

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  4. What a beautiful post! I think it is so important to let people know how much they have meant to us in our lives.

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  5. What a beautiful person to have in your life.

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  6. Oh my goodness, what a beautiful post, I enjoyed it so much starting from The 5th. Dimention that brought me back to 69 with great memories too. Your memories of your special friend gave me goose bumps too, like Lynne..wow, you heard from her and got the wonderful book. Yes, there are people like your friend that have crossed our lives and left an impact for ever. Thank you for sharing this story with us, I love it! Thanks my friend for your wonderful and sweet visit, I'm so glad you did!! Enjoy your weekend.
    FABBY

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  7. How truly WONDERFUL, JoJo....To re-connect with someone who was so important to you as a young person---who was a 'mentor' as you said...This is just so lovely and meaningful to read about.
    Thanks so much for sharing this, my dear.

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  8. This is a sweet sweet story..I loved that "Album"..and the song Aquarius(I am that sign: )A written word is still so important..she must have been so touched by your letter and enduring gratitude.. her response is just as dear~

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  9. What a lovely tribute to your friend, oh yes I remember Aquarius!

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  10. That is so awesome! What a great thing to do. to reconnect with someone from your past!

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  11. That is so great! It makes me realize I should reach back in time to thank so of the people who have helped me along the way. Happy weekend.

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  12. Thank you for sharing this story with us, I love my album to send as gifts for my friends to recall memories about past.

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