The Picture In The Parking Lot

I saw them in the parking lot.
I knew what they were doing because of the way they were standing.
With an arm extended, I knew that a selfie was being attempted.
There was a lot of giggling.

One arm was raised, then the other.
Nothing seemed to be working.
They could not seem to get the picture they so desperately wanted to take.
All the giggling did not help.

There were two of them.
The other woman took the phone to see if she could give it a try.
Her arm did not seem long enough either.
It was either the arm length or the continued giggling that made the picture unsuccessful.

I could imagine how many pictures they took.
I could imagine how many of those pictures they actually liked.
They seemed to accept that this was the best they were going to do.
They had no idea that I saw them as I walked from my far away parking space.

I knew they would be going to their own cars in a minute.
Would you like me to take that picture for you? I asked.
Oh, would you? That would be so nice, one of the women said.
The woman fumbled with her phone to unlock it for me.

I had to flip the camera so the picture would be of them and not me.
They stood close together.
They smiled.
They seemed so pleased to have someone else take their picture.

I took a couple of pictures just in case.
I am not a very good photographer, I said and meant it.
Now if my youngest daughter was there, the picture would have looked professional.
I am better at describing something with words rather than capturing it with a camera.

I handed the camera back to the woman.
Why don’t you check it to make sure they’re OK, I suggested.
Oh, I’m sure they’re fine, the woman said.
She checked them anyway.

They huddled together to look at the pictures I took of the two of them.
Oh, these are so cute, one woman remarked.
Look at us; we look like kids, the other woman said.
We look just like we did in school, the first woman added.

The owner of the phone explained.
We went to school together.
We haven’t seen each other in years.
We just had lunch to catch up.

How lovely, I said.
I have done the same thing.
I have met friends in the same place for lunch.
In fact, I had a three hour lunch with a high school friend recently.

I know what it is like to talk and lose track of time.
I know what it is like to want to chronicle the meeting in some way.
I was so glad I was able to capture a moment for two friends.
I was so glad the picture pleased them.

Oh, the comfort—
The inexpressible comfort of feeling
safe with a person,
Having neither to weigh thoughts,
Nor measure words—but pouring them
All right out—just as they are—
Chaff and grain together—
Certain that a faithful hand will
Take and sift them—
Keep what is worth keeping—
and with the breath of kindness
Blow the rest away.

Dinah Craik (A Life for a Life, 1859)

Connecting with old friends is a treasured gift.
Shared memories are the glue that holds you together.
The sign of a good friend is one with whom you can pick up where you left off.
There is no need to go back to chapter one, since a good friend knows it all.

There is a comfort in an old friendship.
It feels like a soft blanket is wrapped around you.
An arch of the eyebrow, a simple gesture can bring you back to another time.
Years may have gone by, but the people you once were are still there.

The giggles between the two women gave it away.
How many old stories were remembered during their lunch?
How many people who have not been thought of in years, came to mind?
How many stories have been exaggerated, much like whisper down the lane?

A sweet friendship refreshes the soul. (Proverbs 27:9)

I left the two women as I walked into the store.
The giggling started again.
Another story, another memory must have come to mind.
We look really good, the one said to the other.

I did not turn around but I knew.
They were looking at the picture I just took of the two of them.
They were seeing themselves now and seeing themselves then.
They liked what they saw and I am glad.

A refreshing friendship does that to a person.
A refreshing friendship rejuvenates.
A refreshing friendship brings light to the eyes.
A refreshing friendship fills your heart with joy.

I was smiling as I walked into the store.
Friendship is sweet.
It is a sweetness that is felt in the heart.
It is a sweetness that is seen on the face.

I hope the two women are still giggling.