“Why did you do all this for me?” he asked. “I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.”
“You have been my friend,” replied Charlotte. “That in and of itself is a tremendous thing.”
I’m speechless after Rae’s last post. Haven’t dared to write a word in lieu of savoring her kindness, as rare as it is big-hearted. It makes me wish this: if Rachel lives to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one so I never have to live without her. She has been a halcyon joist that has unquestionably held up the house of my existence. I depend on her. Always. That fact alone should warrant more vacation days for her.
There I go getting greedy. Rachel is here on a little Park City vacation, so I got to see her today. And I’ll get to see her tomorrow too. By day 3, I’ll be petitioning her to stay for good, offering all sorts of incentives. The blog should be motivation enough, right? It’s always the logistics that speedily drag our plan to live near each other down, down, down to the ugly netherworld. But, even if proximity is unkind, I have to remember that I’m so lucky to have her. (Lucky doesn’t even cut it…what can I say, my brain is tired.)
So in honor of friends, the kind that understand your tears and your laughter, the ones who say nice things behind your back, and that help you live your story, here are a few reads that celebrate mutual attachment of the very best kind.
This is one of Rae’s all-time favorite reads. (I’m sure she’ll write a rave review at some point about this pearl.) Suffice it to say that Louisa May Alcott reminds all of us that some of our very best friends should be our blood relatives if we’re doing it right. After all, they’re the people who have known us well the longest.
Laila and Mariam’s friendship is the heart and soul of this novel. Because they live in a society where women are not meant to participate in the public sphere, the importance of friendship as a means of escape is especially apparent. These women also validate and dignify one another in the face of oppression. I love the loyalty that exists between the two—their lives are nowhere near ideal, but their friendship’s close.
Even if you’ve outgrown kid lit (is that possible?), this book is “just about perfect.” It’s a sweet reminder that friendship requires loyalty and sacrifice, and taking care of one another. Maybe more importantly, we walk away with the idea that friendship endures—it’s bigger than life itself. That’s right E.B., that’s exactly right.