Connections

I'm reaching the deadline on a big project today, but I thought I'd jot this down before I forget it.

An old friend, Lisa Bailey, did something really nice for me last week. (Really, really nice. I mean, WAY above and beyond). Besides feeling incredibly, eternally grateful, just thinking about her, emailing and talking to her many times over a few days reminded me of something else. I actually think of Lisa every time I drink champagne.

We had this experience in Germany some years back. (I won't mention just how long ago it was, but you'll have an idea when I say it was West Germany at the time.) Lisa and I were both in a dance group that was doing a little tour of the country, and in Munich all the members of the group had the chance to stay in the homes of members of a similar group there. Lisa and I stayed with Karl. We had a fine time, and the night we were leaving on the overnight train to Frankfurt, Karl opened a bottle of champagne to toast to our visit.

This brings me to the reason for the Lisa–champagne connection. She doesn't drink anything carbonated. Not soda, not sparkling wine, nothing. She doesn't like it. Of course, she was much too polite to refuse a glass, under the circumstances, but was kind of in a dilemma because she really didn't want to drink it. I knew all of this, so I waited until Karl's back was turned and quietly emptied Lisa's glass into mine. As I remember (and it is a little fuzzy), I did that a few times. I whispered to her (at least I hope I whispered), "You better make sure I get on that train tonight!"

She did, apparently, and we made it back. Years have passed, and yet every time I raise a glass of champagne, I think of her.

Isn't that funny? People leave these indelible marks on our lives, sometimes significant but also sometimes kind of goofy. Presumably, we leave those same marks, too, without even knowing it. Maybe that's just as well, maybe it's a shame. Would it be good to know exactly how and why people remember us?

In any case, there you go, Lisa. You're with me forever, or at least as long as I drink champagne.

Next time I'll talk about Ruth, green food and crumbs on the keyboard!