Once apon a time I was sixteen years old. It seems like ages from now, but I know it's the truth, because things happened when I was sixteen, not many, only a few.
Yet, those that did happen, and which were special enough to stand up and demand to have their place in my memory, are now precious to me.
It was cold outside, and Gabe Slattery had been living with my family, on our farm, for at least a few weeks, more than likely a month. One fine day Gabe told us that his family had invited our family over to help tear down part of their house and have a bit of food afterwards. The promise of destruction and food made his family seem a good fit for my family. So, we all squished into our old ''ghetto cruiser'' and off to The Slattery's we went. To varify if they really were our kind of people,
and at the very least get free food.
That fine day I had my first encounter with a truely amazing creation of God:
Mary Brigid Slattery,
"Mare''.
We had never met before, were both pathetic in our different ways, day dreamers about our own little futures, enjoyed idolizing and showing off to our big brothers, had been born #4 in our respectively large families, self conceited little catholic girls, very close in age, and thus interseted in each other as possible friends.
I say this in all honesty!
I wasn't sure if Mary and I would get along at first, but after a few hours of hard destruction, and prying into each others views on things, she seemed at least interested in me enough to want me to spend the night. I was drawn by her seemingly careless attitude towards everything except her family, harses, and basket ball, in that order and yet her abilility to listen to me prattle on and on.
So, I did. I stayed the night at The Slattery's, and prattled alot with Mare.
I have ever since that first day thought of The Slattery's as my second, and at times far more preferable, home. Thought of Mary as one of my very closest friends, confidants, prayer interests, and almost little sister. Though she is often the one who has better, stronger, advice than I can handle.
We have both been through many life changing experiences within the six years that we have known each other. I have learned to prattle a little less, listen a little more, love and pray alot more, and Mare was one who really helped me to make these changes.
Dearest Mare,
I am so blessed to have you as my friend!
You will never know how much I appreciate you, just for being you.
Remember to ask me when we get to Heaven.
I really do wish I could tell you here on earth, but it is so large of a truth and mystery in itself that I cannot express it in words written or said.
Happy 21st Birthday, my 'old' friend.
May God continue to shower his wisdom and blessings into your life, and may He be kind enough to keep you in my life for as long possible.
The Wind Cries Mary
By: Jimmy Hendrix
After all the jacks are in their boxes,
And the clowns have all gone to bed,
You can hear happiness staggering on down the street,
Footprints dress in red.
And the wind whispers Mary.
A broom is drearily sweeping
Up the broken pieces of yesterday's life.
Somewhere a Queen is weeping,
Somewhere a King has no wife.
And the wind cries Mary.
The traffic lights turn blue tomorrow
Shine their emptiness down on my bed
The tiny island sags downstream
'Cos the life that they lived is dead.
And the wind screams Mary.
Oh oh yeah
Will the wind ever remember
The names it has blown in the past
With this crutch, its old age and its wisdom
It whispers, "No, this will be the last."
And the wind cries Mary.
