Back in October Mr. D gave me a round trip plane ticket to Charlotte to visit a dear friend of mine who I had not seen in more than five years. The trip was for the first weekend in December, which was good because I had a herniated disc in my back in October and was still recovering in November. More on the excruciating back pain and resulting sciatica (which I still have) later.
My trip to Charlotte offered much needed refuge for my spirit. In October a recipe for depression had been brewing for a few days until the demons were fully cooked and ready to take over what thriving spirit I had left. The recipe: Being incapacitated or in constant pain for weeks. Add to that, a stressful and emotional interaction with a different good friend -- we haven't spoken since.
I arrived in Charlotte on Friday evening and was cheerfully greeted by L. It was the strangest experience traveling without my children. There were no hands to hold, no one to keep an eye on while managing three other things, no one to ask to go to the bathroom. I only had to care for myself -- how odd. L took me to her beautiful new house and gave me the tour before she treated me to a delicious meal at her favorite local restaurant. We talked and talked. I told her about my recent hurtful experience with my friend. She told me about the problems her family has had with her younger brother. We went back to her place and visited with her husband, M, before going to sleep. I had the second floor to myself -- very comfortable four-poster bed, cozy bedding and a beautifully renovated bathroom.
The next day was relaxing. L took me for a long walk around her neighborhood, showing me M and her office spaces, stopping for lunch and talking, always talking. I told her about some of the issues we've been having with Doodle. She told me about her relationship with her parents, specifically her mother, and her decision to try to have a baby.
We took a quick trip to the store to get some items for the party L was throwing that night so I could meet some of her friends. On the way to the store I re-introduced
Josh Ritter to her, I know she'll be eternally grateful! When we got home we relaxed on the sofa and watched a very bad, girly movie -- just what I wanted. L prepared some things for the party and let me watch the must-see ending -- I don't say that sarcastically. Her first guest had arrived and I could barely pull myself away to run upstairs and throw on a skirt and some make up.
L's friends were fabulous -- full of life and self worth. They so warmly welcomed me into their circle for the evening. Two of them were massage therapists and when I told them what had happened to my back they used my body to practice their incredible craft -- both of them working at the same time. At first I was standing in the kitchen but then they had me move to the living room floor where one was at my head and upper back and the other was at my feet and legs. They worked their warm hands deeply through my muscles and tendons and cells. When they were finished working their magic M played the
didgeridoo over me. Its vibrations sunk into me -- I was at peace. I lay motionless for a time while L's friends made their way back to the kitchen.
M DJ'ed the rest of the night and we danced without inhibition.
The next day was Sunday, the day I returned to my normal life. L and I went for another walk and talked some more, with a friend like L there are always things to talk about and fun to have. I wasn't away long enough to really miss Doodle and Pancake and Mr. D, but I was really glad to see their smiling faces when they met me at the airport. I needed that trip and vowed to make it a yearly occurrence.
