We’re Going to Need Some Witnesses

…because we’ve made a will.

Only twelve years past any reasonable expectation of such a document being drawn up.

I guess the drafting of such an important disposition, even at this late date, frees us to die with impunity.

Whew.

This is important because Byron and I are getting on an airplane on Wednesday and leaving the kids behind for twelve days, in the care of their grandparents.

That reality only makes me a little bit super sick to my stomach at the same time it sounds like the recipe for an amazing time.

To understand fully the story behind our imminent trip, you may need to take a quick glance at this previous post, and this one, both of which detail the kind of friendship that makes Han Solo and Chewbacca question their bond and realize they are mere feckless pretenders in terms of egoless cooperation and tackling the challenges the universe. I’m about to go on a trip spurred by the kind of friendship that makes The Golden Girls seem like a troupe of annoying mock-ups whose interactions–meant to come across as authentic and original–smack mostly of shtick and cliche.

Wait. Even outside the context of this post, The Golden Girls chafe.

Let me try again. I’m about to take a trip thanks to a friendship so intensely full of “we’ve got to do this thing together” that it seems, in comparison, Louise was casually digging through her purse, looking for a breath mint, while Thelma announced, “Actually, the gas tank’s on Empty. I can’t gun it over the edge of the canyon.”

If my point is still muddy, let me express it through a picture. I’m about to take a trip born out of the reciprocal love this woman I have shared since 1996:

The point here is that I have been blessed with great friendship, and from that friendship has arisen the opportunity to go on an amazing journey.

I had notions of writing up the entire story here, but as I look at the calendar and the clock, and as I step around the heap of “I might pack this” clothing on the floor of the bedroom, and as I count up the discussion messages that need processing in my online classes, and as I eye the shopping list of things to buy before we go, I realize time has gotten the better of me.

Thus, I’ll simply share the video I posted in my classes last week, a video that gives my students a heads-up. It’s also a really good video to watch if you’ve been wishing you could hear the words um and and more often.

 

Let’s hope I do better at posting updates during these travels than I did with the East Coast road trip this past summer. Otherwise, you’ll be hearing about this one until the first tulips are poking their petals through the dirt come Spring.

So:

We’ve got a will. We’ve got plane tickets. We’ve got a plan.

Can I get a witness?

 

Comments

comments

Comments

14 responses to “We’re Going to Need Some Witnesses”

  1. lime Avatar

    wow, now that’s a beautiful bequest, memories over money. have a wonderful trip sharing a place you came to love with people you love.

  2. kmkat Avatar

    All of you, have a wonderful timel and enjoy each other.

    Oh, and thanks for the earworm, Joc. I now have Can I get a wit-nesss / Can I get a wit-nesssss running through my head. Don’t remember the name of the song, don’t remember who did it, but boyohboy do I remember that line.

  3. Green Girl in Wisconsin Avatar

    Godspeed, friend, as you go to share your time with loved ones.

    (Glad you got your affairs in order, too!)

  4. pia Avatar

    Wow that’s wonderful. But according to my friends I’m the “um” girl. We’re talking casual conversation not even a video 🙂 They’ve been known to say to people “you wouldn’t believe this. She’s actually a very good writer” Then they look befuddled as if perhaps I have been fooling them.

    But back to you. That’s such a great idea of your friend’s. It’s great to have a will, also. Have a wonderful wonderful time. And 10/10 would have been my mother’s 97th birthday. She was an incredible person and it’s a great luck day!

  5. chlost Avatar

    This is a fabulous way to make a bequest to someone who is loved. How wonderful that your friend’s health is good enough to allow her this opportunity to travel with you and share such a special time.
    Have a wonderful trip. My daughter’s fiance’s sister works in the Embassy in Ankarra. If you have any health issues pop up (hopefully not) she will be there to help. Take care, enjoy and ENJOY the company of those you love in a place that you love.

  6. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    Lovely. Have a wonderful time. The post about your friendship brought me to tears. I had and have those friends. Safe travels.

  7. Jenn @ Juggling Life Avatar

    How amazing and wonderful. Them, you and the trip all.

  8. christopher Avatar

    Beautiful…a bucket list memory that will live on forever.

  9. Lil Avatar

    That’s wonderful. Have a great time.

    Maybe after 25 years it’s time Boy and I had a will.

  10. ilyanna Avatar

    What an amazing opportunity! Have a fantastic time, and make lots of forever memories.

  11. Meg Avatar

    Oh, joy! What a thoughtful and lovely friend you have and what a way to make memories. I shall think of you with envy while I sing….Can I get a witNESS? Can I get a WITness? Can I getta wiiitneesss? And so on and so forth.

    Now the hijab pic makes all the sense in the world. Have a wonderful time!

  12. Chantal Avatar

    Oh Jocelyn that is so so beautiful. What a wonderful friendship you have! And what a wonderful way to spend precious time together! I love it. I just returned from a 40th birthday weekend in Vegas with 2 of my life long friends and it is just wonderful to spend time with people you truly love being around. Hugs to you and your friend. Safe travels!

  13. Bone Avatar

    I like the heap of “I might pack this” clothing. I’m a last-minute packer. Not because I procrastinate so much, but more that I might change my mind.

    I’m behind here, so I’m gonna get to reading about the trip!

  14. Magpie Avatar

    I loved watching the video. It’s like the people of the Internet are real!

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