(I should probably begin by saying that my dad gave Denise the nickname Porkchop, and I really have no idea why... I'm sure my mom will comment on this blog and hopefully explain it, but at the same time - he gave me the nickname of Buckwheat.... NO explanation for that one either!!!!!)
My mom sent this photo to me the other day in email...Wow! it brings back a flood of memories. This is my lifelong friend, Denise! She was in a leaf pile with some wooly bear thing that we found in my backyard, along with my rabbit Sniffy. So many things about this picture that bring back so many stories...Denise lived one house away from us on Cherry Lane in Chesterland, Ohio. We have known each other pretty much since Day 1 of our own lives, and over the years and bumps in the road - we are still going strong. We used to play from morning until night, had sleep overs, ate meals together, and played Barbies for what seemed like days. She would bring her Barbie stuff over to our house, usually in the garage, and we would dump everything out and play forever. I think what worked between us, was that it was just us. No 3rd party, no boys jumping around, and no one else to fight with. She is an only child, and I have two older sisters who were not interested in what we were doing anyways.
My family moved away to Michigan, when I was around 10yrs old, and we had to leave her behind. We kept in touch over the years, through letters and phone calls, and we even visited each other a few times. We drifted apart for a little while - in between a bad marriage or two - but these days we are just like we used to be... She has two sons, a beautiful little princess daughter, and a wonderful husband, and I have three sons, a daughter, and a wonderful husband as well. Now we get to trade stories of motherhood, behavior issues with our children, and funny things about our husbands who seem to be very much alike!
Now that I am an adult and a mother, I appreciate my friendships so much more than I ever have. I am lucky enough to have a few women in my life who are my best friends in the world. I have so many memories with each of them, and I cherish each one. God has blessed me with many things in my life and I am so thankful for all of it...
At one point Denise had some "baby fat." She was adorable. I think the name Porkchop came from that. Plus she had bangs that hung slightly in her eyes - she had to jump up and down in order to see through our front screen door which had a solid panel coming half way up. We always saw Denise's bangs first before we actually saw her. I knew Denise as a baby and she never lost her beautiful looks or her personality. A good friend to my forever baby Jill.
ReplyDeleteOh Buckwheat came maybe from Jill's blond hair or it could have come from the Little Rascals - who knows. Dad still has his own vocabulary. He called Nick Maglosky Fat Boy. Remember?