A part of this title is a nod to a wonderful blogger at Life With The Top Down (http://fretym.wordpress.com/) and her post yesterday about a frozen ham. Great post, but I digress.
The post mentioned above talked about changes in life. We all have them, we experience them daily for the most part. Frequently, we meet changes without any notice, as they are, just a part of life. There are times, though, where we are hit upside the head with changes and we have to take a step back and go, “WOW!” Frontwards or backwards, it’s the same, wow!
Last night we had the privilege of hosting a couple we have known for years and years. I would add another ‘years’ to that, but you get the message. Our home was a stopover for them on a trip up the eastern coast of this wonderful country.
It was wonderful to see them. The visit was the usual shot in the arm as we hugged and laughed and teared up a bit. This couple is just one of a group of us that were all stationed together in a small Maine town in the late 70’s, very early 80’s. This group has remained close. We may not be in daily contact, but we keep in touch often. This group is family. The dynamic has only occurred once in all of our travels. We have dear friends, but none compare to the relationship this group has with one another.
In talking last night, we mentioned our ages this year. The gentleman is turning 69 in a few months. This was one of those moments I mentioned earlier where it hit my dear hubby upside the head and we went ‘WOW’. Where did the time go?
This thought was compounded when I looked on a friend’s Facebook page recently and they were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. I wondered how this could be possible as they couldn’t be 50 yet themselves. Again, people and memories are frozen in time. We live our lives and we think of those we love and they are ageless, memories are still current in our thinking.
When planning the menu for this visit, I remembered another friend mentioning how this couple loves their root beer floats. They had had a chance to visit with each other and there was a strong memory of root beer floats. So, taking the cue, I made sure that we had floats for dessert. My dear hubby wanted brownies also. My brownies, frosted, so I baked them and had them ready.
The floats were a huge success! The brownies remained untouched. The chocolate keeps them up at night and so they passed on them. One more reminder that time had marched on so silently that we did not notice. Where did the days go where we could gorge ourselves with brownies, floats, and anything else that went along with our cravings?
But, I have to say, although the brownies went untouched, our hearts were warmed and comforted. We returned to our goofy younger selves several times throughout the evening. Hints of our youth peeked out at several points in conversation. Memories were braided together, those from long ago and those we made last night. The undercurrent present though, was how precious this time was for all of us. Time is relentless, we have no idea how many times we will be able to meet together and share the laughter and the floats. We have already lost some of this precious group. This we do know though, we will all meet again one day and there we will be young, healthy and spend eternity together. We won’t have to worry about what keeps us up at night, we will just have time to rejoice for having lived.
Thanks for stopping by. As always, DAF
dearanonymousfriend 
When I was growing up we had orange and root beer floats after visiting a lakeside park at my Grandmother’s. Your post brought back found memories. Thank you. Respectfully, Marc.
I had an aunt who always had them, I forgot how much I liked them… I am planning on having one later on today, thanks for stopping by my blog and for posting a comment. I am blessed each time someone new is brave enough to visit me. I am venturing over to your blog now and visit you.
Awww… DAF, you had me at root beer floats! 🙂 Time certainly does have a way of rolling, rolling, rolling (sorry, hope that tune doesn’t get lodged in your head today) on doesn’t it?
I absolutely love, love, love this line… “Memories were braided together, those from long ago and those we made last night.”
Thank you for yet another wonderful post.
And good luck with the puppy sitting! 🙂
thanks Wendy! You are so sweet. Glad you liked that line, I am always hoping that what I write makes sense!
Thanks for the nod…much appreciated. Time does go by in a flash and as much as I remember people saying it, you don’t believe it until it’s happening to you. My husband will be 50 next month. His mother died at 48, his dad at 60 and he just lost his sister at 52. In his mind time is limited, which is having an added effect of the ole MLC.
It sounds like you had a wonderful evening and the extra touch of love withRoot Beer Floats just made it that much more special : )
It’s hard when you approach the age your parents were when they died. My Mom died at 42. I had a terrible time from the time I was 40 to about 48, I kept thinking my time was about up. Now, at 57 I am enjoying life. I always appreciate your comments and your posts. Thanks for stopping by!
Isn’t it the best getting together with old (as in time known) friends where you can slip in an out of nostalgic memories? I’ve never had a root beer floater, but your brownies sound amazing. Sounds like a fantastic evening. My hubby is also grappling with the passing of time. Me not so much. I tend to feel like my time is NOW and am more busy looking forward than back, but I do get a few pangs when I see photos of my kids when they were little.
It was a wonderful evening. This couple is so much fun and always has been.
A root beer float is vanilla ice cream ( a couple scoops) in a glass and then pour root beer over it, it’s delicious. You can also make them with coke or any soda.
Thanks for your comments, they always mean so much to me!
I loved reading all the comments from your new blog friends this morning. I had read this post right after you wrote it but wanted to wait until I could give it my full attention before writing. With each paragraph tears began to well until they spilled down my cheeks in gratitude. I am so thankful that our Lord braided our lives together. What a blessed time that was for everyone and what wonderful lessons we learned. With every word I read my head nodded in agreement, my heart filled with love, and I thanked my God upon every remembrance of all of you. This was a beautiful post DAF. Just beautiful. One of the daughter’s (in this group – KC) use to have dreams that we’d all live in a village together – happily ever after. Love you DAF.
love you also Susie! thanks for the beautiful comment and long ago when we were all first together who would have thought we would be sharing our children and becoming grandparents together? That’s even better than living together in a village, isn’t it? Have a wonderful weekend and ride a ride for me in the happiest place on earth. Wish I could be with you… you know you would totally do Space Mtn with me 😉
*hahahahaha* See, this is why we are Besties! I told VV last Saturday that I was saving the coaster for a time when we were all together and I could ride it with you! I could hear you laughing as I watched with delight as coaster riders shot forward like cannon balls! Cannon Balls I tell You! *laughing*
by time that baby is tall enough to ride, he will be between BOTH of his grannies!! 😉