Tag: friends

When We Were Beautiful

~ Meg ~ 51 Comments

My old friend, do you remember?
How hours rolled away slowly
Like the swash on a calm, clear day
As if we had all the time in the world
Summers full of sunlight
The sweet smell of heat and salt in the air
With unheavy hearts and unburdened minds
Sand between our brightly painted toes
Leaving fleeting footprints in the strand
Sunburned skin cooling to a tan
Beneath gauzy cotton dresses
Hanging lightly on our gazelle bodies
While the breeze tousled our tresses
Streaked with copper and gold
There were pretty boys we loved so desperately
But soon forgotten when the seasons changed
How easily broken hearts mended
When we were butterflies flitting in the wind
Yes I remember…
And I smile as I see what we’ve become
But now we will have fun again
Like we did when we were beautiful

A Virtual Hug For a Friend!

~ Meg ~ 28 Comments

My girlfriend Sandra at “What Sandra Thinks” is going through some tough times and her friends here on WordPress want to show her some love. Thanks to Cyranny at “Cyranny’s Cove” who came up with some questions for those of us who are closest to her. I loved the idea and readily agreed. If you follow the link to Cyranny’s blog, you find links to the other posts for Sandra. I’m thinking of this as a great big virtual hug for my friend:

How did you discover Sandra’s blog? And how long have you been following her?

Sandra and I met during WordPress’ Blogging 101 back in 2015. These free ‘classes’ were sponsored by WP to help new bloggers set up and get the most out of their sites. The group we were in was extremely social and many friendships were formed in the commons — the site which we were all encouraged to visit so as to give feedback to one another as we learned how to use our brand new blogs. She and I hit it off right away!

What do you enjoy the most about “What Sandra Thinks”?

I enjoy Sandra’s writing style – she writes like authors I like to read and I hope this doesn’t sound pompous, but I think she writes similarly to me. Reading a writer with whom you have much in common is helpful. She writes natural, flawless dialogue. Her timing is impeccable. In other words, she has the awareness in her storytelling of just where to leave the reader wanting more. When she shares things about real life and her struggles, she’s honest and though my heart always aches, and I wish I could fix things for her, that ability to evoke strong empathy in the reader is also the mark of an amazing writer. Even through her pain, she still manages to be funny and refreshingly irreverent, too.

What do you like the most about Sandra herself?

Sandra is a good friend. I’ve always wished we lived in closer proximity, because I’m sure we’d be friends in real life, too. She’s honest and doesn’t pretend to be something she isn’t. Now… that being said, I wish that Sandra could see herself the way we see her! If she could just get a boost of confidence somehow!

What would be one of your favorite posts from Sandra?

I am totally loving her current series: Dear Diary. But one of my very favorite stories of hers is the Secret Admirer begun in 2015. I think that story could be (should be) published! (Might be a little short for a novel but still!)

What would you tell Sandra, if you two were talking over a cup of coffee?

Oh man… lots of stuff. I’ve always felt a kinship with Sandra because we have the same types of issues —not to the same levels, but I feel like we understand how the other feels. And we could talk about writing. I think it would be fun to brainstorm with Sandra over story ideas! Sandra can write the romance and I will add the mystery.

What do you wish for Sandra, in the future?

Ideally? I want her to win the lottery so money will never be an issue or alternatively I want a big time producer to discover her blog and buy the rights to turn her stories into films. I want Alex O’Loughlin to sweep her off her feet… (sorry Mr. Sandra)

Ok, realistically… I want her kids to grow up knowing how much their mom loves them and that even though it doesn’t feel like it now, school doesn’t last forever and mean kids will not always be part of their lives. I also hope they will make good decisions that bring them success and happiness in their future, because that would mean the world to Sandra, too. I want her health care professionals to find a permanent solution to her back pain. I would love for her to find a part time job that she loves, which also  gives her a schedule that works for her kids. In whatever form it takes, I just wish for Sandra to find happiness and know that she is loved.

Meg Sorick

The Chess Game

~ Meg ~ 52 Comments

A ten sentence short story… I also think this one should be expanded before adding it to the collection. Some history between these old friends… 

Every day Abraham Stein set up the chess board in the park. The game was always in progress, but Abraham never accepted offers to play. Every day he sat for an hour, staring at the board, not making a move. At the end of the hour, he would slide all the chess pieces back into the box, fold the board and walk the five blocks back to his apartment at Temple Beth Israel Retirement Home.

The ladies of Temple Beth Israel wondered about Abraham Stein, trying always to dissuade Abraham from his routine. As he walked each day to his appointment in the park, he would shoo them away with a wave of his hand.

One day, after some weeks had gone by, a man in a wheelchair was wheeled by his nurse to the place opposite Abraham in the park. Abraham smiled, without looking up from the board and said, “It’s about time you showed up.”

Saul Rosenberg snorted and said, “I missed you, too, you old meshuggener.”

Abraham pointed to the board and said, “It’s your move.”