A Retrospect

My memory is getting a little fuzzy, but I know I met Meredith at one of those tables at FIU. FIU's student center is a hub of campus activity, so every organization set up little tables with brochures and such. BCM was no different, so I spent hours that first week sitting at my table hoping students would stop by. A few did - and one of those was Meredith.

At the time she was working on her masters degree at FIU. Although we weren't pursuing the same things, we instantly saw that we had a lot in common - even bizarre things - like being from obscure, similarly named small towns from southern states (me from Holly Springs, Arkansas and her from Holly Pond, Alabama) or nearly having the same birthday - less than 2 weeks apart and I'm pretty sure she was born the day I was due.

Unlike most of the students at FIU, I could relate to Meredith instantly. We'd both come from regular America and both knew what BCM was supposed to be like - fun, inspiring, encouraging, and close-knit. Likewise, we both had to face Miami's foreign reality at the same time and both of us can look back (now nearly 8 years later) and see that being exposed to it changes your outlook somehow. And that even though we'd both like to try somewhere new, the thought of leaving here is a little scary.

Well Meredith is getting that chance. Time went on and we both married guys we met in this crazy place, both ended up teaching in elementary schools, both spent long summer hours chaperoning a busy summer day camp, both joined Baptist churches, and both learned like black beans and rice. Now the time has come that Meredith and her husband Ben are packing up their earthly possessions and moving halfway across America to Kansas City. And although I'm happy they have this opportunity, feel a little jealous too, I'm very sad to see good and faithful friends go so far away.

Moving can kick the packrat out of anybody. The idea of having to lug all your stuff so far takes some sentimental value out of things! In her effort to downsize, Meredith gave me this pitcher made of pink glass - plus some other pink glass things. Pink glass just kind of says "Meredith" to me, so I'm glad to have it. Plus I needed a new pitcher - as you can see it's in good use holding my tea!

Meredith and I co-hosted a Halloween party last fall. It was a lot lot of fun. Here she is dressed as King Tut.

By the way, she was also in my wedding. (L to R: Bekah, Dana, Meredith, Tammie)

Also at my wedding rehersal dinner - between Marc and Lynn Loyd, it's funny how your wedding takes all the random connections in your life and intersects them for a few hours. It's kind of like having a weird dream.

Also, at Caleb's birth - the plan had been for her to be my back up cheerleader in case Rob hit the floor, but the c-section changed things. Still she came and waited a long long time in the waiting room while I recovered from surgery. Caleb really likes Meredith!

Finally Ben and Meredith at my house last Monday. We had dinner and dessert and played Blokus.

Meredith, in a place were I have no family, you've been like a sister to me. I'll miss you down here, hope it's not too cold up in the heartland. I wish you eternal health...and a big screen TV.