If you’re a blogger or have ever been a blogger – like me, then it’s very possible that you’ve encountered “Miss Ileane” in some kind of way. I’m not one to drop names and you may not believe this because somehow somewhere and in some ways I’ve let it be known that she is a close and personal friend — actually she is my sister from another (that’s so corny – why do people say that?)
Ileane was the first person to welcome me to the 50 Club; though I’m a new member and don’t know all of the rules and lingo – I do know to join AARP but it ends there so as I cross the 50 threshold forgive me if there really isn’t a club. Hey, I’m just the new kid on the block that’s super excited to be moving in. However, my turning 50 is another blog post for another time.
This post and this time is all about my long-time friend and sister, Ileane. One of my earliest memories of Ileane could possibly get one of us in serious trouble so it wouldn’t be very friendly to start there. Most people when forming a true relationship open up to the other party – we basically expose ourselves. The more layers we shed, made it and makes it easier for us to be transparent with each other. We’ve let WAY TOO MUCH out of the bag. You see – if we wanted to not be friends any more, we probably wouldn’t sleep very well at night for fear that the other one could be spilling some beans and trust me, that would be some juicy meaty bean soup. Whoever would be the beneficiary of hearing our dear precious secrets – simply would not believe the stories that we share between us. Unfortunately, my dear friend, Ileane remembers everything and I remember nonsense. So to be safe we don’t let misunderstandings cause any kind of separation between us.
One of the things that stands out in our relationship is my perfect timing. Ileane is like an accountability partner so when I feel that I’m traveling on a road that I shouldn’t even be close enough to read the street sign, I wait to tell her until I’m at the destination. Once she tells or advises me not to go that way, I have to tell her what she hears from me so often — TOO LATE! She laughs but she’s always there when I come to her crying about my poor decision making and blaming her for letting me do it – she laughs again.
This brief introduction is for readers other than Ileane. Following is a list of some things that came to mind when I opened my official “Welcome to the 50 Club“ envelope. Instantly I thought to call her but my second thought was to surprise her and finally write something (again). You may not know that she suggested I blog a long time ago – way before it was popular. She encouraged me to do so because she knows I love to write and she thought it was a great nudge to propel me into producing something. She’s also the only person who ever diagnosed me as having a short attention span. [I beg her pardon!] So what did she really expect – no need for you to answer.
thank you, ileane
- for showing another side of the zodiac sign that I happily share with you – my birthday is first
- for not letting that Nancy and blowing up the building thing blow us apart
- the many nights you drove me home after work – so many, many nights
- giving me a show during Emily’s wedding reception while I was pregnant and couldn’t drink
- for giving my husband a show during Emily’s wedding reception, he still identifies you by two things – the two things he saw in that dress
- for not judging me in any way in the midst of my debacle with my second husband
- for being so tickled every time I tell you about my 3rd husband, though I don’t get the joke
- for your support when I mentioned navigating and migrating to the south
- for finding humor, offering your unsolicited remarks and constant reminders of your disinterest in my dear philadelphia eagles
- for sticking with the things you believe in and the passion you have for those things
- for being my alex haley to remind me of my roots in north philly – i’m proud of that – i wouldn’t be me if not for the time i spent there
- for picking me up from the airport during my early visits – and for making sure you see me at least 90% of the times i visit
- for grieving with me when we lost our dear sweet beautiful michael – it’s been five years now – seems like only yesterday
- for sharing your mom with me, she LOVED me … and thought i was one of the nicest sweetest people – a wise woman indeed
- for your condolences just a month ago – i still can’t believe he isn’t here any more
- for the very interesting love-life stories throughout the years
- for putting me on blast re: the come over brothers
- for being so tickled by my love-life stories throughout the years
- for your empathetic ears when i expressed my feelings re: becoming a grandmother
- for your accommodating ears when i brag with enthusiasm about my gorgeous grandchild
- for being as proud of my children as i am
- for being the first person to the emergency room when i totaled my husband’s car
- for introducing me to your grown child as we sat in that emergency room as she repeatedly interrupted to keep up with the gossip as i watched her in shock
- for the minutes, hours, and days we spent talking long-distance pre-twitter, facebook, and skype
- for picking up where we left off whenever we do speak like we just spoke the day before
- for all of the disagreements on every topic that we ever have
- for not giving in or taking my side no matter how loud i get when you know i’m wrong during one of our debates
- for not rubbing it in my face when i finally admit to you that you were right — i hate that you’re right most of the time – you seem to get a kick out of it
- for showing me or trying to show me how to listen and not interrupt like your daughter did in the emergency room
- for the electronic simulated hug you sent last week – that was so sweet
- for teaching me about science and magnetism – or for trying to teach me – i can’t listen to that kind of stuff for too long
- for being one of my only friends who knows how to build an actual car – remember those days
- for respecting me no matter what and for always making me feel so special
- for suggesting i purchase an e-reader about 8 years before i finally did
- for introducing me to yoga and making me lose weight back then – you were my inspiration
- for diagnosing the pains in my knees and educating me about arthritis
- for teaching me or sharing with me any and everything you learn related to blogging – if i want to know – which hasn’t been a lot lately because – as you have labeled me – i have a short attention span
- and finally, for welcoming me to the 50 club – you make it look like a club i need to be in – and of course, i mean that for today … who knows what i will say tomorrow
thank you, ileane
Ellie
Ellie recently posted..Prevent Anxiety Attacks
Thanks for stopping by here too, I appreciate it.
Absolutely awesome, Kissie and Ileane.
Lisa Irby recently posted..What Do You Do When Rejection/Criticism Online is Taken Too Far?
FYI, one thing (among many) omitted – Ileane introduced me to you! She called me one day and went on and on about your videos she discovered on YouTube and began to school me on whatever she was talking about – you know I stopped listening after the first 90 seconds … as I was on to something else.
Thanks, Lisa. I always like when we get a chance to talk off season. *insider*
mitz recently posted..How To Add Amazon Affiliate Links Into a WordPress Post
Thanks for stopping by.
Sharon Hurley Hall recently posted..The Secret To Achieving Your Goals – How This Procrastinator is Getting Things Done
Great seeing you outside of Twitter!
What a wonderful tribute for a beautiful friend! I’m glad to be able to welcome you to “the club” — we all have much to be thankful for. And thank you for sharing your best buddy with so many of us, and allowing us to celebrate her specialness with you.
Hats off to both of you!
Vernessa TAylor recently posted..Vending: An Economic Development Strategy for Local Small Business Success
On another note, I want my old blog posts.
So now that you know about my short attention span, hopefully you understand why we haven’t had our Skype date yet.
Oooh – it’s exciting chatting with you this way. I’ve missed this!
We have been through our share of great times and just to clarify for any one who reads this – yes there was a girl who threatened to blow up the building – but as you can see since I’m still walking the planet it just wasn’t my time to go.
And yes my Mother (God rest her soul) absolutely LOVED Kissie. She would always get the cutest grin on her face when she would say “Kissie called me” or “I got a card from Kissie”. I miss her so…
Yeah girlfriend, we could start a whole blog dedicated to the stuff we CAN’T talk about online. I’ve always said you should write a book but the sad part is that even if you changed the names – it still wouldn’t protect the innocent….
Love ya!! Always.
Ileane recently posted..Increase Engagement and Build Relationships with Blog Interviews
OMG, Ileane, this was so much fun and you really got the ball rolling. My next post will show what happened next. I never knew 50 could be so thrilling. People that reached it before me seemed to always dread it. Perhaps they were pretending so the rest of us wouldn’t know the true joy.
I just had a thought – I should have added the pic of me on your lap. Hey – Emily is now my Facebook friend. This is my best birthday ever!!!
Thank you again.
Well, you two ladies certainly will liven it up! I loved getting that special peek at a special lady. All I can say is, “Wow! Philly girls have class!”
Happy Club Day, Kissie.
Cheers,
Mitch
P.S. In case you’ve forgotten…
Mitchell Allen recently posted..Hey Shorty
I like the sound of that and it takes a wise may to recognize and to declare it.
Oh, wait until I write about my birthday surprise – it was a Words With Friends affair. My daughters had a surprise luncheon celebration at my job – they got me good! Catching up with you and this Shorty thing. What are you Mitches up to?
Second, this was very touching, and of course we all love Ileane so it couldn’t have been written about a better person.
Third, didn’t I welcome you to the 50 club, though certainly I couldn’t have been the first? I still haven’t sent in my AARP card; I’ll get around to it one of these days.
Mitch Mitchell recently posted..My Pitch For The Shorty Award
2. It was fun writing about her too, I laughed and felt it — I like topics that move me when I write or that moves me TO write.
3. Huh? I can’t remember this morning so I already forgot your welcome, and remember Ileane says I have a short attention span and I admitted that I remember nonsense. She remembers the serious stuff.
I’m sending mine in immediately, I want what’s coming to me. (As I watch this SC Republican Presidential Debate)
Now what’s this “Shorty Award” thing?