my very best friend

In addition to the great atmosphere of NC, my best friend from high school was able to spend the vacation with us.  I have such a long history together which I am so grateful for.  She is spontaneous, funny, positive, spiritual, stubborn, silly. creative...Fortunately, she lives 2 hours from Andrew's school, so we see each other often.  I have spent some great times with her and her husband Fred (who was killed in a motorcycle accident last year) in her hometown, trolling the streets in their conversion van.  My favorite memory was a Fred day-we would wake up with intentions to head out early, find lunch items for a picnic, take the boat out on the lake, swim, talk, laugh, drink, and simply go with the flow. Fred is alot like Marcia-they go where the wind takes them. What really happens is we wouldn't get out until noon. Then Fred would need to stop at their business to do paperwork. But to avoid boredom, he would put a movie on his big screen for all of us to enjoy. Now its 2 PM. We head to the lake and head out on the boat, as Marc does yoga on the bow (normal-nothing to be concerned about).  We swim , eat pretzels, head back to the lake house.  Now its 8 PM..nothing to eat all day.  We are starving and I (and my good friend who came along) need to be on the road the next day at 6.  Fred wants to go to Cracker barrel.  But not before he finishes his lengthy libertarian conversation on the docked boat as we wait patiently (well, maybe not patiently).
Finally around 9 30 PM, we pile into the conversion van and head to nourishment. But wait-not just yet.  He wants to give us a tour of his hometown. Fred, i say. It is pitch black out...what will we see? No matter..we are touring Norris TN.  Back in the van...arrive at Cracker Barrel at 10 30.  Eat. Talk. Talk. Order dessert of course.  Arrive home at 12 30. It was a typical day with Marcia and Fred. There might be some frustration about the lack of attention to time contraints, but at the same time, such a relief to not worry about time.
Marcia continues her free spirit ways with an ache in her heart. She is slowly healing from losing Fred and trying to move ahead with life.  She has stayed consistent with her art, raising her daughter, and depending on her spiritual nature.  We still laugh, share secrets, and do all the things one can do with a very best friend.