Making a Memory

Susan and I have known each other since first grade when she was a student at Zion Lutheran and I attended St. Rose of Lima. Susan remembers we met on the corner near our schools and began the ritual of walking home together . My recollection is slightly different as I recall we first met when she and her dad gave me a ride to school in their family Station Wagon. No matter. The fact is, we've been close friends for over 50 years sharing youthful adventures and the changing seasons of our lives.

For most of our adult lives we've lived on opposite sides of the country and don't get the opportunity to see each other as often as we'd like, so when my dad and his wife Susie generously arranged for us and our husbands to use their Time Share near Orlando, we jumped at the chance to get together. The adjoining suites provided a perfect get away and allowed us a couple of carefree days to laugh and play and talk, talk, talk.

Being with Ben and Susan on the day of their wedding anniversary was especially sweet for Gary and me. Not only because we love the Heick's, but because I was a bridesmaid in Susan's wedding; My mother even sang at their wedding. It seemed meaningful for us to be with our friends to help commemorate and honor their 38 years of marriage. We made a toast to Susan and Ben telling them they were a darling couple then and are a darling couple now.

Ben has a favorite saying when doing something special with family or friends, a saying I like a lot: " We're making a memory".

"Making a memory" is exactly what the four of us were about , and not just what we did I might add, but how we did it, with lots of joy and laughter. For me, making memories is similar to selecting and adding pieces of material to a patchwork quilt , it adds to the fabric and color of our being.

One night we had dinner at a quaint restaurant in Celebration - a planned community where the architechture and colorful buildings on main street reminded me of Disneyland's Main Street. After enjoying a leisurely meal at an outside table - Susan and I shared an order of fish taco's and a Caeser salad - we took a short walk to an Irish pub for a Bailey's and beer. When we got back to our rooms we changed into our PJ's, popped some corn and turned on the televsion to get our Fox news fix; Agreeing with, and affirming one another in our political beliefs , we talked about the economy and wondered about the future of health care.

Thursday we made a plan and drove to Mt. Dora - about a 50 minute drive from where we were staying. Mt.Dora is truly a little piece of Americana with a strong Florida flavor; I'm so glad Susan suggested we go there. When we bought tickets for a guided tour of the old city, we didn't know we'd be spending an hour riding around in a sweltering hot trolley car. Prespiration dripped down the sides our faces as we fanned ourselves with brochures to help cool us down. Even with all the humidity and heat it was worth it as the guide gave us a good overview of the area. One highlight of our day trip was eating at the highly recommended Goblin's Market. We were told people drive from miles around just to eat there, and I believe they do. The tasty crab cakes on a bed of greens was out of this world delicious.

After lunch Gary and Ben headed for the lobby of what once was a grand lakeside hotel so they could relax and play Cribbage. Presidents Coolidge and Eisenhower stayed at the same hotel during their terms in office. The place had a lot of character, but looked as though it had seen better days. Susan and I were more interested in finding treasures at the local antique stores; Knowing we didn't have much time before shops closed we hussled up one block and down another - like mall walkers making their early morning rounds.

Some things time and age don't change; Susan and me talking back and forth a mile a minute about a hundred and one different things, and when together taking turns calling out to each other with excitement in our voice - "Kathy, look at this". Then, a few minutes later, "Susan, over here", just like we did when we were kids.

Cribbage and shopping done, we had one more important stop to make before departing Mt. Dora; The ice cream parlor. We were almost giddy at the prospect of picking a favorite flavor. Susan chose pistachio, Gary had a hot fudge sundae and for Ben and me it was mint chocolate chip. A refreshing way to end a memory making day !