As we spend time on this planet we all have ties. Strings to people that have crossed our paths in various chapters of our lives who are extremely important to us. To our memories. Each one of those important strings to a life, to my life, to yours, that has been knit from birth until now. Unexpected feelings of camaraderie to perfect strangers has always been such a mystery to me. Why some people cross your path and you immediately feel a bond, a sisterhood with them. Deep friendships are a very rare and cherished thing, aren’t they. I probably, in my lifetime, can count on one hand the true deep girlfriend relationships I have had in my life.
The unfortunate twist and irony of it all is that sometimes we don’t realize how important these threads are in our past until the comfort begins to unravel. Today has been such a day for me.
I met Alice on my first day at the Barbizon Hotel for Women in New York where we both were staying while we went to school. She lived on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and I was from an industrial town on the Ohio River. Our backgrounds couldn’t have been more dissimilar. Her brother was in Princeton and mine at Cincinnati University. Her father lunched at The Brown Derby and my father took his to work with him. In spite of our different beginnings, Alice and I quickly bonded. How could you not like her. She was pretty, sweet and always had a smile and a good word for everyone.
After we each graduated from school she went back to the West Coast and wound up in San Francisco and I stayed in New York for a while and eventually when I got married settled in Pittsburgh. But throughout the years we’ve always kept in touch talking about our boyfriends, then husbands, then our children.
Throughout the years on holidays we exchanged cards and wrote from time to time, but our relationship was forged even greater when we both found a renewed closeness on Facebook. It was like having coffee with Alice every morning when I logged onto Facebook and became a part of her life once again.
Well, this morning we lost Alice and I lost one of my forever-for-life friends. Alice always was the cheerful one-always the positive one. She told me a few months ago that she was not afraid of dying. She said she just felt sad for those that she was leaving behind. She would be going on to something better. That was Alice. Cheerful and positive to the end, or maybe as she believed to the beginning.
Alice was one of those last threads to my earlier chapters and I will miss her dearly. But one of the many things about knowing Alice has taught me is don’t be afraid to live every moment of your life while you’re here. Live it with kindness. Live it with compassion. Live it with faith.
We all will miss you dear Alice. Sweet dreams my good friend.
Copyright Sandra Hart 2016
Sandra's Hart My Over 60 Lifestyle Journey 
Sandra….very sad for your ….” forever friend for life ” loss … it is a bittersweet time in your life when a connection so deep and special is changed and we are no longer availed of this undergirding and often unique relationship…. I was touched by your loving comments as they expressed several different paths these connections can take in our personal journey…. Went to a memorial service for a friend’s father this wk.end and the ironies of ” the stings ” was a significant part of what she and I discussed …. It is always much more than a passing thought when I’ve pondered this….as there are just a billion opportunities but really so few in reality that fleeting moments ,even with strangers , connects us.This is especially true when there are several connections to a person or their family and friends…. such is the case with a gentle someone in my past that was a string to you…. because I attempted to learn about her more recently …I was led directly to your wonderful posts ,and happily so….. it would mean a great deal to me if someday you would share with me a bit more of her life as I have often reflected on her circumstances and even how it came about that I had a personal and rather intimate knowledge and connection to her… may she RIP as her stuggle are over … sincerely enjoy your thoughts , memories and journal of what you’ve gleaned along the way …what a marvel “the string ” brings to our lives, no matter distance or time… take care… so glad to ” make your aquantance” … : ) Jan Royal .fb page (central Fl. )
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful and kind reply. Who was the person to whom we were connected? I would love to share my thoughts about her with you.
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C. S. R. Is our surprising connection …. I was a young mother at the time and filled with ideas ….funny one ,that there is a vast amount of time for living…. Through her extended family she became a glowing image and then more …. gentle is how I mostly think of her …. when her life was good (early ’60s)I did not take up the offer to spend more time with her … life was so busy and hectic and she seemed so glamorous that I let it slip away …. when you could find the time to share it would make me happy and give some comfort as I take none in the public information …. if you go to my Facebook page you’ll see I’m a regular soul traveling my long and winding road… Must read your books … perhaps you’ll be in the Orlando area , then by attending would get to know and understand you even better ! ♡ ! … my conversation with you would be confidential… thanks for immediately responding …how gracious of you …. you may message my fb or I’ll give you a cell no. …. whatever is convenient and/or timely …. looking forward to a hart to hart or Royal /Hart commiseration ..♡ 2 ♡ …… as u wish
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Much appreciation Sandra …. lovely and unexpected connection …. it was a moment of time travel where I visited a few years of pleasant and gentle memories …. sharing that place in my heart with such a dear person was indeed good for the soul ….. ♡ Will continue to look forward to your musings and will feel ” connected ” two-fold ….♡
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Thank you. I knew the conversation and connection would be good for each of you on many levels. It was kind of you to let me know you knew my cousin, Carloyn.
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You were insightful …. Her in laws ,as my neighbors through their last year’s were an special part of my life , seeing them often …. even held my baby boy ….and of course sharing their pride of family not only in their son but especially in Carolyn and their four granddaughters …. saw framed pictures and held THE invitation ….. and many ” just friends ” conversations… we all had strong Atlanta connections ….tho’ never getting to really know her, Carolyn couldn’t have been sweeter or more gracious toward me…. would not ever forget ….you are right …for me personally…. in many ways …. you form an endearing attachment w/neighbors ….
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