Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Collective Memories

I've started telling my friends here that I have "une tĂȘte de passoire." Basically, I have a memory like a colander. You put stuff in there, but most of it drains out. (Hubster would definitely agree that this is true and might even argue that all of it drains out. I tried to explain that this was part of the deal when we got married, but he's not convinced.)

This is where I'm glad I've got people around me who can help me with that extra push to the bottom of the colander, to really have a look at what's in there. Especially my roommates from college.

See, college is a time where you do a lot of stuff that you'd really like to forget, you study stuff that you're going to forget no matter how much you loved it, and you live with a freedom that is unforgettable. Luckily for me, I had 5 other women living with me during those years who help me now not let it all go down the drain.

They remind me that my cleaning habits have never changed (I scrub the toilets while talking long-distance,) my need for animals has always been there (long live Sprecher, the stiff as a board bunny,) long frizzy hair is beautiful (except when it clogs the bathtub drain,) I can't handle conflict (quick, get the wine,) and that I always followed the beat of different drummer.

One of the 5 arrived yesterday with two of her children and it's awesome watching her little her and my little me run around our house. It's soul fulfilling to sit with her and fill in the gaps of our past as we watch our futures play with trains and Barbies.

I may not remember everything but I remember her. And boy am I glad, she remembers me.

4 comments:

RHB said...

Glad she made it safely! Soak it up, this time with your friend!

Heather said...

I don't know if you were ever in girl scouts, but this post makes me think of the song we used to sing, "Make new friends / but keep the old / Some are silver /and the others gold." I am the opposite -- I remember almost everything that ever happened to me, and I never forget people. So I am happy to share my memories with my old friends, you included. Have a nice visit with your college roommate!

Kelly said...

I'm so jealous that you are together. I wish I was there! Have a great time together, and I will see you in a couple weeks.

XOXOXO!

shelly said...

I'm afraid I have the same memory problem as you. Maybe there was some sort of radioactive material in the back room of Apt L. I miss you both and hope you two have a great time together!