I'm Honey!

As a woman who has lived through many passages and learned through my larger than life experiences (positive and negative), I’ve discovered how to take a big empowering bite out of life.

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Start A Conversation To Start A Friendship

A new relationship begins when one person is encouraged to enter into ‘conversation.’ Conversation is an art. Though I do not profess to be artful, I realized when I was quite young that I really enjoyed initiating conversations. I knew even then that you need to start a conversation to start a friendship.

I also came to the conclusion that it was more important to be an interested listener. I realized that if a new relationship got legs, I would have plenty of time to be interesting!

I am reminded of an unexpected conversation that took place more than 40 years ago when my late husband, Michael, and I were newlyweds looking for our first apartment.

Finding our first apartment

I laid eyes on a beautiful two-story building, Elizabeth Manor. I adored the name, as well. I had no doubt I wanted to live in the building, but in my wildest dreams, I never imagined I would strike up an ongoing 40-year conversation.

The real estate agent turned the key, and we walked into the most charming two bedroom and two-bathroom furnished apartment with a balcony. I began a conversation with the agent, “Please tell me the story of who lived in this apartment previously.”

With a somewhat startled look, she said, “How did you know it has a story?”

“You don’t often see two apartments combined,” I replied.

She continued, “Well you are right! A wealthy divorcee and her three sons lived in these side-by-side apartments while she was going through her divorce. Notice the opening in the living room wall, the size of a doorway? Her sons lived in the other apartment.”

The agent went on to tell us, “If you move into one of the apartments, the management will put up two doors for privacy and sound.”

I fell in love with ‘her side, ’ and within a week Michael and I moved into Elizabeth Manor. Two doors were installed, and life was good.

Three months later, two unexpected and fabulous events occurred – I found out I was pregnant with my first child, Jennifer, and new neighbors moved into the adjoining apartment.

Starting the conversation and making a friend

Of course, I wanted to know who moved in, so early one morning I opened my door, holding two cups of freshly brewed coffee, and knocked on the door.

A girl my age with a big smile on her face opened the door. I was shocked and happy to see someone my age. I smiled back and handed her a cup of coffee with a warm, “Hello!” She invited me in and, darlings, the conversation began.

“Hi,” I said cheerfully. “My name is Susan. I am so glad I knocked.”

“Hi! My name is Judy,” she replied. “I’m so glad you did, too!”

“You have a southern accent,” I said. “Where are you from?”

“I am from Atlanta,” she said. “Where are you from?”

“I am from a small town in Illinois, Kankakee by the Sea,” I answered.

I was the ‘interested’ conversationalist. I was eager to hear her story. I found out Judy and Richard were married the same month Michael and I said, “I do,” and Judy and I were expecting our first babies and had the same due date.

We talked and laughed for the next hour, and the two doors did not close until our husbands arrived home from work.

We became fast girlfriends. We experienced our pregnancies together, experimented with new recipes, double dated with our husbands and gave birth to our first children only four days apart. She had a baby boy, David, and I had my beautiful Jenny.

We learned to be mothers together. I learned that little boys peed up when she asked me to help her diaper her baby boy, and he peed in my face when I bent over.  She learned little girls pee down when she helped me.

It is hard to imagine, isn’t it? Two young wives and mothers with everything in common, sharing one large apartment all day. It was an exceptional experience!

Losing touch

The day came when I told Judy I was moving away. We worried our paths would never cross again. She knew she would eventually move back to Atlanta and my life was not determined. There were no cell phones or computers.

We sadly said our goodbyes and charged ahead with our lives.

It was serendipitous that 20 years or so later, my ultimate concierge and I would be with his family in Atlanta for Thanksgiving.

Over Thanksgiving dinner, I asked my sister-in-law, “Do you by chance know my friends Judy and Richard?”

She knew Judy because they played golf and bridge together. Elated I responded, “OMG, do you have her phone number? I want to call her!”

And call her I did. She was excited, shocked and asked that I come over right away.

Reconnecting

As I entered her beautiful home, our conversation began right where it had left off. We had so much caught up to do. After some time, we said our goodbyes, promising to try and stay in touch. It was not until several years later one sunny afternoon in Rancho Mirage, California that I received a surprise phone call.

A southern voice that I recognized immediately said, “Susan, it’s Judy!” She could hardly come up for air as she continued, “I overheard your name mentioned this afternoon and a friend of yours gave me your phone number. I couldn’t wait to get home and call you! When can we get together? I hope tomorrow! We have so much catching up to do.”

“I will meet you for lunch tomorrow,” I said.

It seems every 20 years our paths cross so we can continue our conversation. Now we are 60, own homes in Rancho Mirage and are back together. Our friendship had come full circle!

That was then, but this is now. I am sorry to say we have once again lost touch. Judy and Richard moved away from Rancho Mirage, and I have not seen or heard from her. I know it is not your typical friendship, nevertheless, it is divinely special.

The Beauty of A Friendship

As I write and reminisce about our friendship, I realize it is all because use I knocked on a stranger’s door with two cups of freshly brewed coffee and started a conversation.

Why don’t you do the same? Pick up the phone and reconnect with a girlfriend or a relative from your past and restart your conversation.

March 12, 2017

Passages After 50, Relationships

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  1. Allison from SoCal says:

    What a lovely story! The joys of friendship are so many! & you never know when a new one is coming around the corner or when an old one will pop in for refreshing! Keep your heart & mind open & friendships can be everlasting! -Allison from SoCal

  2. Linda Schulte says:

    Dear Susan, I so enjoyed reading this column. My life has been similar- close friendships made because of several moves over the years. People often ask me which is my favorite place to have lived, and I always have to say that none is a favorite. We have loved every city- Atlanta being one, and I think it’s because my husband and I always reached out to find friends and nurtured a joyful spirit. People are always attracted to a smile- and a hot cup of coffee!

  3. Oma says:

    Hi Honey.. Nice article… I have put off reconnecting with some girlfriends and generally initiating any conversation with anyone lately…My wonderful husband and I have really built a world that really only includes us….We live out in the country on a ranch that has been in my husband’s family since 1827 and also have a home high in the Colorado Mountains…so most of our time is away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Now at 60, I see and feel many changes in my outlook on life…Reading your posts has helped me to understand I am not the only one…Thank you for your time and effort ….With Warm Regards Oma

  4. Terri Maracle says:

    Another great article! Some people just seem to be destined to be in our lives for ‘the long haul’ …what a treasure they are!

    • Honey Good says:

      Thank you Terri! I know the story is amazing even when I reread it.
      I just know I will see her again. It is in the stars. Warmly, Honey

    • Honey Good says:

      I agree. It is quite unbelievable. They are a treasure. Warmly, Honey

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