So summertime is here! Watching Jane and her friends hang out takes me back to the good old days of riding the back roads with my “sisters” Eden and Vickey. Jane may not realize it; but the friendships she has now will be her source of strength when real life hits her. I am sure of this because I can see the love they have for one another is the same that the three of us had! That kind of love is a rare find; and cannot be broken. That kind of love is a bologna sandwich brought to you after a horrible day!
Vickey, Eden and I use to get ourselves in some pretty crazy situations. But, between the three of us, we managed to get out of them alive. A sisterhood is like a well-oiled machine. Each part is different and cannot operate alone; but together, if they fit just right, the parts become one. And it is beautiful! So, you are probably thinking, ‘What the heck does a bologna sandwich have to do with any of this?’.
You see, as I explained, a sisterhood must consists of separate parts that fit perfectly together. Our sisterhood consisted of a wild one (me), a somewhat shy one (Eden) and a mother figure (Vickey). I would drag us into the biggest messes, pulling Eden by the arm the whole time because she always wanted to go home. Vickey was always along for the ride; but mainly because she knew someone would have to take care of us by the end of the night. That was our sisterhood. It wasn’t always neat. It could be very messy at times, but it was the most beautiful relationship a teenage girl could have.
Now, back to the bologna sandwich………
One day, we set out on one of our adventures. I can’t quite recall where we were going, but I assume a boy was involved and we were not supposed to be going. I can assume that because that was a standard scenario for most of our adventures. Eden had the best car by far (thanks to Tommy and Sedgene), but this particular day we took Vickey’s car. Needless to say, we broke down! It took us FOREVER to get back to Belzoni. Remember, this is before smart phones and social media. We had to sit on the side of the road for a bit, then walk to a house and call for help. Then we had to walk back to the car and wait…… and wait…. and wait. By the time we made it back to town, it was time for me to go to work. I was hot, tired, irritable and starving. But, Vickey was stuck without a car and needed one more than me. So, as any sister would do, I gave her the keys and had her just drop me off at work. And, a little bit later, as any sister would do, Vickey brought me a bologna sandwich with a piece of lettuce and a dollop of mustard! It was perfect!
I ate that bologna sandwich over twenty years ago; but I still remember it like it was yesterday. We’ve since lost Eden, and Vickey and I have both moved all over. But we are still that well-oiled machine. Time, distance, even death cannot break the bond we have. And, whenever I feel broken and don’t think I can do it alone; I remember that really hot, crappy summer day and that bologna sandwich. Then I remember that I am a little broken part alone; but I am also a part of a perfectly fitted machine.
The other night, my doorbell rang. Jane answered it and sweet little Tori Byars was standing there with a coffee. She gave Jane the coffee and a hug; and left. She had someone bring her over here just to give Jane a little bit of happiness. This little token of love brought a tear to my eye and made me think of Vickey bringing me that bologna sandwich. I realized that these girls fit perfectly together. They get each other in messes; and lift each other up too. And, it warms my heart more than this damn Delta heat to know that twenty years from now; she will be reminiscing about her “girls” like I often reminiscence about my two.
Eden- keep making us look good up there ’cause I am kind of banking on your connections to get me through the pearly gates.
Vickey- thanks for that sandwich and you know my kitchen is always open for you and your boys.
Lessons Learned From The Rainbow 