Saturday, August 8, 2009

Welcoming Alla

I find that the older I get, the less it takes to make me happy. In my youth possessions and the acquiring of them gave me blissful moments. I could take a lovely crystal snowball into my hands, turn it to catch each facet of light, examine every nuance of color that erupted as the sun burst upon the surface and smiles would wreathe my face. That it belonged to me made me the happiest. That it was beautiful came in second. If I somehow lost or broke the object of beauty, it would bring me the strangest sadness. The sadness never lasted long because there was always something prettier, something harder to attain that would make me happy again. That was me as a selfish teenager. When I married I treasured my young husband for who he was, as well as what he was. It was a partially grown up feeling. I had just turned twenty. At twenty three when I held my first born son, the feelings that came over me were overwhelming. I couldn't stop looking at his tiny hands and feet, at the abundance of dark hair that covered his head, at the smiles he offered so soon and so often.

My second born brought me just as much joy and I marveled at how his face worked when he slept. His eyelids would twitch and his lips would echo the involuntary movements of those heavy lashed pale lids. I always wondered if he was dreaming. We were not sophisticated parents who spoke in full sentences of Mr Shakespeare or news of the world. We babbled baby talk and goo goo faces were the theme of the first two years. I treasured my babies and my husband above all else. I was finally grown up.

As they grew up and grew away, my friends became new treasures to me. Some I have kept for years, others have moved away and out of our lives. While we miss them, that we have lost contact is not life threatening. Should we hear from them again we would take up where we had left off. Maturity came along unexpectedly.

Mama had a pen pal that I believe she shared with my sister, Toni. Her name was Alla and she grew to love this young Siberian mother as she loved the many people who came into her life. She loved people above all. We learned from example. Mama wanted to send Alla things that would benefit her in life. She loved sending her little gifts and loved the gifts that Alla sent to her, as well. Her nesting dolls (she has several sets) were her treasures. After Mama died, I missed Mama's stories of Alla her friend who lived in Siberia. One day not so long ago, I mentioned to Toni that I wondered how Alla was doing. Imagine my surprise to learn that Toni still kept up with her and her family. She told me that she had sent Alla a copy of my book and from there that Alla was now reading my blog. It made me so happy to know that Alla was well and now had a computer of her own with which to keep up with the world! I only wish that the technology had been such when Mama was alive. What joy it would have given her to talk to her dear friend on a daily basis.

So, I have grown considerably from the child that I once was where things were important and people were afterthoughts. I am so thankful for a loving teaching family of Grandparents and Parents who taught us that ownership may be nice, but friendship is more constant.

I'd like to say "hello Alla! " I welcome you warmly to blog land and encourage you to start a blog of your own. I'll be a faithful follower!

35 comments:

Anya said...

So lovely and TRUE words Sandi ;)
We can be happy we have blogging friends to .... LOL

Love Bears All Things said...

Great post! That is what I love about blogging. Having all these pen pals.

You must have written this earlier and posted it today. It showed up on my reader this morning but the date says Saturday.
Mama Bear

Lee said...

How wonderful to be able to keep up your mother's friendship and tradition of reaching out across the seas to others, making them lifelong friends! Sandi, this brings to light how much smaller our world is becoming and how we are all part of a global community that has been there long before we recognized and are growing as a people into members of this wonderful diverse family of humanity. Thank you for sharing this!

Hello Alla! It's good to have you among us!

Blessings!
Lee

Sally said...

Awww, such a sweet post, Sandi. You always make me smile BIG!!! ((hugs))

Sandy McTier Designs said...

Sandi - that is so sweet. People truly are MORE important than any possession in this world! Great reminder for us all!
Have a fabulous day!
Sandy

Akelamalu said...

A wonderful post Sandi and it's great that your Mom's friend is still in contact. :)

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Such a lovely and loving post Sandi - your happy memories giving you happiness once again. It is wonderful that your sister is still in contact with Allah and I do hope that you and she can regain contact through your blog. A x

Jeni said...

I love when you toss so much sentimentality into your posts. The way you string your words together -expresses so beautifully quite often makes me realize that's exactly how I view (or viewed) things but couldn't bring the words up to describe it. And how great to discover an old friend, connected to your mother. That is really awesome. And wouldn't it be great if she (Alla) did start writing a blog too?
Peace.

cheshire wife said...

The Internet has certainly made the world a smaller place but sadly many of the older generation feel that computers are beyond them. It is good to know that there are some who are brave enough to keep up with modern technology. Perhaps Alla will get in touch with you.

larkswing said...

Great story! Blogging is kind of like modern day pen palling . . .neat that your mom and sisters pen pal now follows your blog! Too fun . . .

Terri Steffes said...

Sandi, how lovely! I loved this story, thank you for sharing it with us!

Kari (GrannySkywalker) said...

That's wonderful, Aunt Sandi! Wouldn't it be great if Alla started her own blog and told stories of her friendship with your mama? You must let me know if that happens. I'd love to read it!

Love you,
Sissy

Maggie May said...

I can relate to so much of what you have written, Sandi.
Small things do give tremendous pleasure as we age.
I used to have pen pals all over the place. I suppose blogging is the modern equivalent.
I just wish my dad could have lived long enough to see my blog & my interest in photography. He would have been so surprised. He died in '86. and I wasn't at all interested in photography then, but he was!
Strange world! You've set me off reminiscing now!

♥ Boomer ♥ said...

A sweet, very true post. :-) HUGS, Sandi.

Finding Pam said...

Sandi, this is a lovely and touching post. I think that is wonderful that you and Alla have re-connected.

I am glad that Ariana is doing so good after her surgery.

Hugs to you.

Finding Pam said...

Sandi, this is a lovely and touching post. I think that is wonderful that you and Alla have re-connected.

I am glad that Ariana is doing so good after her surgery.

Hugs to you.

Finding Pam said...

Sandi, this is a lovely and touching post. I think that is wonderful that you and Alla have re-connected.

I am glad that Ariana is doing so good after her surgery.

Hugs to you.

Vodka Mom said...

That was amazing! But now I am thinking of your sweetie below! I hope all went well!!

Carver said...

What a great post. I enjoyed reading this so much.

Casdok said...

Me to - lovey and so very true.

Maria said...

That's a very nice story! I hope your association will continue!

Maria said...

That's a very nice story! I hope your association will continue!

Maria said...

That's a very nice story! I hope your association will continue!

Maria said...

That's a very nice story! I hope your association will continue!

Maria said...

That's a very nice story! I hope your association will continue!

Maria said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rosaria Williams said...

Hi Sandi, thanks for the visit to my blog. I agree with your statements about happiness. Glad to have met you.

Saz said...

super post!! well done on your POTD mention....

jay said...

How lovely! I'm glad you found Alla again, and that she reads your blog. Yes, your Mom would have loved to be able to talk daily with her great friend, but all we can do is live in the here and now. You are keeping the friendship going though, and that's wonderful!

SandyCarlson said...

Wow. What a wonderful post. I could relate to what you were saying. And I felt like I wanted to read this post to my daughter. And I wanted to draw pictures of what this looked like to me. Such a beautiful story.

Maria said...

Sandi, what a pleasant surprise to get your visit this morning. I also like your blog very much and look forward to visiting you again and again....

Clelia said...

your story is so beautiful. While I was reading I could figuerd out every single words and imagined your life. Thanks for his post

Clelia from London

Brian Miller said...

wonderful post, the world has definitely become a smaller place. congrats on the POTD mention.

the little one continuing to do well post surgery?

NeereAnDear said...

What a fabulous story.... SAndi ... as always I get caught up in the moment when I come here to read.... its like a good book you cant or donw want to put down....

Welcome to Alla.... how exciting for you that you have found the internet and will soon be able to keep up with Sandi like you did with her mother....

I know Sandi will be happy to make sure the ties of friendship stay strong between you .... her and blogland....

I also hope you enjoy reading all the wonderful stories Sandi writes... she is a real gem and so full of love and kindness...

HUGS SANDI... WELCOME ALLA
JO

��Radio Mihalis Thalassis - Athens Greece said...

Sandi always a good day every day. I read what it says, your school, and are very good. Hello Michael