Friday, January 18, 2013

Girls, the real ones, not the ones on television**


I am on a plane, again, when you read this and am heading back to the east coast to see some of my oldest and best friends from, probably, one of the happiest times in my life. Those were the four years I spent at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the above women, all ten of them plus one who is mysteriously NOT in that photo, will be together this weekend. We're celebrating fiftieth birthdays -- most of us are turning fifty this year and some -- sadly, some -- have already turned fifty.

Oh, my lord, I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! I know I'm going to cry when I see them, especially those  I haven't seen in nearly 25 years. And I know I'm going to laugh as hard as I've ever laughed over the next three days as we remember our time together and share memories about then and stories from now. I think we look about as cute in 1985 as we could have in the mid-eighties, and I'm certain that everyone will look more beautiful in our half-century year, given the lives we've all lived.

Like I said, I'm so excited that I can hardly stand it.

**And those girls on television? I just don't get what all the hubbub is about. I paid nearly $20 to download the first season and found it boring, superficial and not even remotely interesting. Maybe that's because I'm almost fifty and no longer a girl?


at

17 comments:

  1. Vesuvius At HomeJanuary 18, 2013 at 1:04 PM

    I hope you have a wonderful (and healthy) trip. How special to have such long-time friends. You know, I love Girls because it's odd and unusual, and I love how frank Lena Dunham is about her naked body.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Vesuvius At HomeJanuary 18, 2013 at 1:06 PM

    PS--are you fourth from the left? Or are you the one mysteriously missing?

    ReplyDelete
  3. From the KitchenJanuary 18, 2013 at 1:16 PM

    Have a great time! I think you are fourth from the left.

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  4. 37paddingtonJanuary 18, 2013 at 1:41 PM

    i picked you out at once. have fun and take lots of pictures!

    and as for Girls, I watch it with my daughter and squirm quite a bit, though i too admire Lena Dunham putting her real girl body out there. As we watch my daughter will sometimes point out what behavior reminds her of which of her friends, but insists she doesnt know which character best represents her. she says the closest is the (former) virgin, because she's so quirky.

    i think there is hype around this show because its not conventional Hollywood casting. and twenty somethings see something of themselves, which to this fifty something is not comforting. but i watch. gotta do my research!

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownJanuary 18, 2013 at 1:47 PM

    Have the blast I know you know how to have! Fifty is awesome .....

    ReplyDelete
  6. JucieJanuary 18, 2013 at 3:12 PM

    I don't often comment because it seems that I could only type a lame "thank you" over and over again, but since you are a fellow tarheel - I graduated in 1984 - and turned 50 last March - we must have been breathing the same air at Wilson Library many times. I too loved those carrels and studying there was a treat as an undergrad. Have a great time with your tarheel girls. Will you be in the Holy City - as my very Carolina Blue family calls Chapel Hill? My niece is there now - a sophomore. What great memories I have from my undergraduate days. Truly a magical time.

    ReplyDelete
  7. jm2jmmJanuary 18, 2013 at 4:15 PM

    You are going to have so much fun! A bunch of us did that in November for our collective 60th birthday- ouch! But let me tell you, it eased the pain of turning "so" old. We laughed and drank ourselves silly, caught up on husbands(s), children, and yes, even grandchildren. So often through the weekend it was as if time had stood still. So much fun- ENJOY EVERY MOMENT! It will recharge your batteries! Have a great time!

    PS- tried to watch Girls once and found it sad. And disturbing. yes, I'm old. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownJanuary 18, 2013 at 4:21 PM

    So incredibly happy for you !!!!!
    Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy

    ReplyDelete
  9. TaradharmaJanuary 18, 2013 at 6:06 PM

    recreate the photo! How much fun. I love Chapel Hill...I spent a time there last fall and it was gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  10. HeatherJanuary 18, 2013 at 8:39 PM

    Have a blast my friend, as I know you will. I envy you. The long standing friendships. It is a rare thing. As well as beautiful one.

    I have been in Chapel Hill. Once. For 3 days. Walked the campus of UNC for a few hours. That was in June of 2000. Life changing event for me. Remind me to tell you the story one day.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Denise Emanuel ClemenJanuary 18, 2013 at 8:57 PM

    You look so much the same! Have a fab time, gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  12. C.January 18, 2013 at 9:30 PM

    Bon voyage and have a grand time!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Steve ReedJanuary 18, 2013 at 11:08 PM

    Yay! Have a great time! I can't wait to hear what your reunion is like!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ms. MoonJanuary 19, 2013 at 6:03 AM

    You know, I believe that's the same college my mother went to, back when it was a woman's college.
    Tiny circles of connection everywhere.
    Have great big fun.

    ReplyDelete
  15. karioJanuary 19, 2013 at 10:55 AM

    Have a ball. I hope you all find your twenty-something selves and bring them out into the light of day (or dark of night). I haven't watched "Girls" but I suspect it wouldn't be my cup of tea, anyway, so thanks for the warning...

    ReplyDelete
  16. Catherine WJanuary 19, 2013 at 2:42 PM

    Have a lovely, lovely time! Like Vesuvius, I also think that you are fourth from the left. Beautiful then, beautiful now.

    ReplyDelete
  17. susan t. landryJanuary 20, 2013 at 7:15 AM

    ohhh! have so much fun--love the picture--i def see you!

    ReplyDelete