Lori's Minute

Monday, June 19, 2006

A Rare Find

We just got out Reader's Digest in the mail and, as usual, I read all the funny articles first such as "All in a Day's Work" and "Humor in Uniform". Then, as I was flipping through the articles, there was a comment or saying that the magazine will often put at the bottom of the page. This one caught my eye. It said, "The reason we have families is so we meet people we would never ordinarily meet."

I thought this is so true. Recently, I made a new friend. Now you have to understand, I do not make friends easily and have not made once since I had my first child and spent most of my days home. I did make an effort to make friends when she went to school and started kindergarten. I was determined to make small talk with the first parent I met while I was waiting for my daughter to get out of school the first day.

I spotted a parent as soon as I got to the blacktop...she and I were the first ones there. I made small talk and she answered but that is as far as it went. I am sure she was wary because I use a white cane since I have a sight problem. Plus, I was probably coming across as overly friendly. I still see her at school functions but it is a "Hi, how are you" and then we are on our way.

So, I decided maybe I should not try too hard and of course, that meant, do not try at all so I dropped the effort.

Then, ten years later, my son is going to preschool. My husband and I were hoping to find someone to carpool since I do not drive. He could take the kids, and hopefully we would meet someone else who could pick the kids up. So, we got to the first parent meet and greet and as the evening draws to an end, we are feeling like there is no hope. We looked at the addresses of the other families and they either lived too far away or we were not familiar with the street location.

Finally, my husband says he was approached by someone who wants to carpool! I jump for joy, we exchange information and decide we wiil carpool. Later, she offers to pick me up on the way to pick up my son so he has someone there rather than someone else's mother. I happily agree (anything to get out of the house).

Three days a week we talked about all kinds of things on our trips to the preschool and became very close. When my son was stuggling in class, she was so supportive and told me all the things her kids had done.

When school ended a month ago, I wondered if she would still want to get together and go for walks. She is a very busy mom with four kids. I lucked out, she wants to go for walks, too, so whenever we get the chance we go for a walk and keep in touch.

And to think we never would have met had it not been for the kids.

Have a good one!

Oh yeah, for those who want to post your weight loss for Tuesday, go ahead since I probably won't blog until late tomorrow or eveb Wednesday. Some of you are doing so well!!! I am going to say I gained 50 pounds so next week I can say I lost that much or at least close to it.

Ok. NOW have a good one.

9 Comments:

At 3:22 PM, Blogger Louisiana said...

honey that woman that you tried talking to and she shrug you off, it wasn't because you were overly excited or because you use a white cane, it's because SHE IS an IDIOT and RUDE and a SNOB. Babe you are a beautiful, kind and sweet girl. Friendliness and reaching out is a great attribute that we all hope to achieve. Don't you dare let that grrr-woman make you feel like you did anything wrong. It is her big loss to have nothing to do with you...Just let me at her, i tell you...I'm glad that your new friend is helping you to feel less lonely but honey don't sell yourself short. There are tons of people with dissabilities of all sorts that are also shy. And although being shy makes it a little bit harder to put yourself out there it doesn't mean that it's impossible. It's better to have one good friend than to surround yourself with people that are not truly your friend. I'm here, yes, we can't go out for walks (i wish we could) and we can't go out for supper (but someday) but i am here to listen and chat and email and love you. And i know i'm not the only one the feels that way. You are an angel in a world where too often girls are not real...you are a gem, don't ever doubt that for a second. Anyone would be honour to be in your company.

 
At 4:12 PM, Blogger Lori's Minute said...

Thanks Chana,I know I can always count on my blog friends! You and the rest are definetly a cherished group....Lori

 
At 4:14 PM, Blogger Gunngirl said...

I'm glad you found a carpool, and another parent to hang out with. That is so cool! I'm with chana on the snobby parent. She was just one of those people who is very suspicious or just stupid.

I knew people like that, they were even wary of people saying 'good afternoon' in passing on the street. Good grief. If were seeing the same parents all the time then that's when you start chatting and then because you see them everyday you can keep getting to know each other before you try to get numbers, addresses, car pool notes, etc.

Glad it worked out, though!

 
At 4:23 PM, Blogger Janets Planet said...

Started responding to your comment on my blog, then realized I should probably post it in a comment on yours.

Terry down at Jack Richeson is a great resource. I would also take a trip down to the Main Street Art Works in Hilbert. It is a co-op and they jury in their members -- a difference you will see if you check out any of the other co-ops in the area. Riverside Painters is a group of ladies who paint and have a gallery/studio in the same building at the Chef's Hat on Broadway in De Pere. Also if you like plein air painting, the North Woods Plein Air Painters meet regularly at various locations to paint. They are a friendly casual group and welcome newcomers of all skills. They paint around Green Bay and up north.

Email me through my blogsite if you want more detailed info.

 
At 5:02 PM, Blogger B.R.L said...

You have a lot to offer to anyone who knows you. I am glad that you found that close friend. I hope you will find more.

 
At 5:09 PM, Blogger Dr.John said...

New friends are wonderful to have. So you gained fifty pounds. That is a bit. But the new fibbers choice diet will allow you to dump it all by next week.

 
At 5:54 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am the same way when it comes to friends. My very best friend came along when I least expected it.I never thought I would have a friend like her. I love her dearly.I am so glad you found this friendship!

No loss/no gain

 
At 1:04 PM, Blogger Catch said...

Im so glad you made a new friend Lori, I would be totally lost without my girlfriends! I get the Readers Digest too....I love that little book! I read it from cover to cover.

 
At 2:12 PM, Blogger kristi said...

Lori, I have fallen off the weightloss bandwagon...yet again.
I understand how you feel trying to make friends at you kids school. When Avery started his preschool I so wanted to make friends with the moms but everything was just short hi and byes. Then around March I became friends with a mom in the class and we finally started talking and more and more at functions and everything then school ended in May and we exchanged numbers but I have not heard from her, but I guess the phone works two ways. As for Dylan when he started PreK there was one mom that was just as talkative as me and we became good friends, she had twins in his class and he got along so well with them. Then they moved and we moved. Another friendship busted due to the military

 

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