Last night, I went to the wedding of my best friend from elementary school. It was a slightly awkward occasion, full of 10 minute conversations with people I hadn’t seen in years, and will probably not see again until another “Big Event.”
These 10 minute conversations were all the same, full of broad, sweeping generalizations of the happenings in our lives. Jobs, Marriages, Children—trying to explain years of experiences in just a few moments. It was difficult, speaking in sweeping statements with people who once were a part of my every day. And even though they now know where I’m working, and I’m acquainted with their spouse, we’re still as disconnected as we were yesterday morning.
Juxtaposition.
Tonight, my sister hung up a new towel in our kitchen. It’s bright and multicolored and covered in monkeys. It was on clearance and matches a plate and cup belonging to my youngest niece. And it’s these little things, a new towel, a loose tooth, a bad dream, a sunset walk, that make up who we are. When I tell someone I graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies, that I work as a temp, even that I went to Uganda for 6 months, they don’t know who I am at all. But maybe, if they knew that I spend more money on books than clothing, that I’d rather spend a Friday night at home than out, that I still watch Disney Channel movies, that I love sunsets more than sunrises, they’d have more of an understanding…
Just something I’m thinking about tonight.
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1 comment:
sister... one of my greatest joys is that I've now spent more time living with you than without you... and knowing you - inside and out - makes my heart smile... often <3
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