- In sixth grade, our entire class took the bus from Bend to Portland for a multi-day field trip. We slept overnight in the basement of OMSI, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, back when it was near the zoo (today that building is the Children's Museum) and went to everything from the Oregon Historical Society to Fort Vancouver. At the Fort, Teri was very disappointed to find out that it was actually a reconstruction of the 19th Century Hudson's Bay Company fur trading emporium, not "the real thing." She pretty much dismissed the entire place. I'm not sure why this tiny incident made an impression that should last 25 years, but now that I work at this site, it seems funny to me.
- Also in middle school, perhaps in 7th grade, I was over-tired and had a huge meltdown one night. I remember crying bitterly that "Teri F____ is my BEST FRIEND, and she doesn't even know who I am!" Oh, the angst that is 13. I'm sure Teri knew who I was--we were in many of the same, advanced classes--and I'm equally sure (now) that my breakdown was not directly related to her or anything that she had done.
- In 1986 Teri's mother moved away from Oregon. We were both seniors in high school and I was going to be going to Finland for my exchange year. I'm not sure how it came up, but I think I was the one to suggest that Teri live with my mom that year. By this time we were definitely friends, maybe not BFFs, but close enough that I trusted her to live with my mother when I was gone. My mom was very sick by now and I thought having a surrogate daughter was a good idea. It really wasn't necessary and I don't think either of them enjoyed the situation.
Some people are good at keeping in touch. I'm not one of them, but Teri is. She sent me a Christmas card last year following reunion--I didn't so much as send an email. But we're still friends and I have Facebook to back me up on it.
Susan (for I will probably always call you that),
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolute pleasure to be invited to your blog - and an even greater pleasure to see my name in print. I feel honored...and well, yes, famous. ha ha ha
What great memories you have and you brought them flooding back to me.I remember OMSI, but I don't remember sleeping there and I vaguely remember being ticked about the "fake" monument.
I had my 13 y.o. daughter read what you wrote to get to know the younger me a little better. What I hope she saw is that I always tried to befriend everyone - tried to treat others kindly. After not seeing people for 20 years, I was so happy to know that old friends has good memories about me, as I had about them.
I know we talked at reunion about your mother. What a relief it was for me to finally get to speak to you about living with her that last year of high school. I could have been a much better surrogate daughter. I was definitely quite caught up in my high school life. Susan, you put my heart and mind at peace when you told me how glad you were that I was there, even though I didn't feel like I had helped her at all. I will forever be grateful to you and your mom for allowing me to finish out my school years in wonderful Bend, Oregon. I hope that I expressed that to you and that you will always remember.
I have been reading your blog for about an hour now - I am fascinated! Your writing is interesting and engaging...I look forward to reading that first novel. Best wishes for a blessed holiday season. Much love and friendship, Teri