Twelve years ago, give or take some days, two women introduced themselves over the call centre partition that separated their desks.
We both worked ingloriously in the personal loans department of a finance company, and the office had decided to move floors. We’d never met, until that day.
I might have passed her off for your average wedding band toting Indian woman. Except she dressed wrongly. And spoke the Queen’s English too loudly. And exhibited the kind of dark humour that instantly recognised my own.
She might have passed me off for your standard snooty white girl. Except for the book lying on my desk, boldly announcing my current ethical dilemma, The Battle with Beef.
“What’s the book you’re reading?” She asked, and so began a lengthy conversation about my studies, and anthropology, and the general state of the universe.
Then she asked to read one of my essays.
From that day forward, she read every single word I put to paper. And in the course of time, reminded me what it was I once dreamed of becoming. She still does – and a whole lot more besides.
I wouldn’t say her twelve years of belief in me have been well spent. There’s only one thing scarier than having no one who believes. And that’s finding someone who does.
Somehow, despite my flair for self sabotage, she still has faith.
In all the years we’ve known each other, I’ve never been able to put into words what it is she means to me. I’d say it’s past time, wouldn’t you?
Gustav Klimt – Water Snakes II
Seems like a lifetime ago, yesterday
Our names were introduced.
What’s in a name?
It’s a cataclysm
A beginning and an end
A whole new looking glass.
You gave me, me.
You gave me, you.
You gave me, infinity.
Who knew that worlds apart
Together
We would find a home?
Sometimes I think I ruined you
And even as I do
Your eternal hope meets my eternal gloom…
Never too late, you say.
Take my hand, and shed another skin
Of new tomorrows.
Secret lives and
Sacred lies and
Finally we come into the light.
Sometimes I wish time stood still
So we could be who we were yesterday
Today.
Everyday I wish that I could be
The woman you make me want to be
Tomorrow.
The one who turns to You
And says
It’s all going to be alright.
This is not the end.
This is the beginning
Of the Age of Us.
Twelve years to infinity
And not a moment left to lose
Except with you.
♦
Thank you, Aneeta. My Heroine. My Goddess. My Infinity. 😉
If you had to thank someone for the person you are today, who would it be?
Alarna Rose Gray 
stunning. I’ve gone all gooey inside. How divine to honour your beloved… I love her too! have a spectacular day… always in my heart.
Aw *hugs*. We’ll all meet oneday 🙂 Great day to you, too!
So heartfelt and honest. What a beautiful tribute to this dear woman. who believes in you and inspires you. 🙂
She is dear! Thank you 🙂
Wow, Alarna. What beautiful and powerful words. 🙂
It’s all her 🙂 xo
Absolutely beautiful Alarna… lovely thoughts and lovely words…
Talking of beef – have you read ‘My Year of Meat’
one of the funniest, most poignant and most moving testaments to the horrors of eating beef… I must go and look for it, – suddenly I feel like reading it again !!
Thank you, Valerie! No, I haven’t heard of that book…the one I read was very dry and academic. Sounds like yours would be a much more enjoyable read!
This is lovely. You are both very lucky to have found such a beautiful friendship.
You’re very kind. I think I’m luckier 🙂
Go wild. Quietly. 🙂
Yes, exactly!!! 😀 xox
So, so beautiful, Alarna. 🙂
Thank you, Coleen… 😀 xo
It the best feeling to find someone who “gets” us.
There’s nothing else like it…
Oh Alarna! Wow! What can I say! Absolutely beautiful! Wishing you both a lifetime together filled with happiness and love!
I recognize myself so much in your words Alarna: “There’s only one thing scarier than having no one who believes. And that’s finding someone who does.”
Thank you so much, Rita 🙂 However scary it may be, I hope that means you’re fortunate enough to have someone who does believe… xo
I do Alarna!
What a wonderful salute to one of the most important influences in your life. I would give credit to my children for making me who I am. It was the realization that I am their role model that got me back into following my dream. I want them to know how important it is never to give up on something we want passionately. For that reason, I am taking risks – unheard of before they came into my life.
It’s one of the things I love about your story, Kate! So many people seem to give up on their dreams when they have children. The fact it has motivated you to take it seriously is awesome – and hugely inspiring in itself 🙂
Alarna, this is a beautiful post and the poem is wonderful! I think you express more of who she sees in you in these posts than you think you do. Perhaps, you need to find the courage to do more of this? With love and light from the other side of the world….Kim
I’m hugely touched, Kim. Thank you. I guess it all comes down to courage, doesn’t it? Face to the wind… 😉 xo
What an incredible way to meet — although I suppose it shouldn’t seem so improbable to me, because I met a wonderful friend when we were both working in a relatively crappy legal research job. As far as who I could thank for being the person I am, I wouldn’t have said this a few years ago, but I would thank my parents for always appreciating and having faith in the creative activities I do.
I know what you mean on both counts, Chris. The best things happen to me when I’m not looking for them…and I’d say being able to appreciate the influence of parents is one of the best things about growing up 🙂
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful friend!
My person would be Tom (my husband) – he saved me from myself and helped me find a new me.
That’s wonderful, Pooky! I’m so glad you have Tom (my turn for a belated response – just getting back to things following a big family reunion) xo
I hope you enjoyed the reunion – was this the reunion of the many birthdays?
Yes, it was! We counted and there are at least 10 birthdays in our families around this time…It went well, in an organised chaos kind of way 🙂
Sounds fabulous. That is a LOT of birthdays!
Alarna, this right here is exactly I feel: “There’s only one thing scarier than having no one who believes. And that’s finding someone who does.” A few friends of mine are so “sure” I will write a book one day. It makes me feel terrified of letting them down.
Strange how it can be gratifying and terrifying all at once, but the pressure!! Makes me want to plug my ears and do a “nanana” dance… It’ll happen when and if the time is right (that’s what I tell myself)… 🙂
Numerous people have made a difference at points in life’s time, I’d find it difficult to craft it to one person to thank, but as time opened up, it went a brother, a mate, a lover, my wife, and the many family, friends, and strangers in between, and up ahead..
I like that you say “and up ahead”… Life is full of surprising people who all do their little bit to keep us on the ‘path’.
Who stays on the path 🙂 wild terrain, and wild food, nothing over engineered… Yes surprising people!
Huh! Good point 🙂
hello, Alarna… one needs only one person believing in her, to believe that she can, true. what a nice post…
thank you for coming over and for your concern. my family and i are safe, thank you. appreciate the concern. 🙂 hope things are going well…
All is well here, and I’m relieved to hear the same for you. Though I know something of this magnitude will be felt by everyone, at least you are safe!
oh, the supertyphoon is about 600 km from where my family and i are. but you see, five years ago, we were also victims a supertyphoon, 10 feet of water and tons of rain for 24 hours. we never recovered from that… everything was just washed out. we’re lucky nobody, from the family died or was injured. but life has never been the same… the recent typhoon is worse so, i can imagine how bad it is for those hit…
again, thanks… 🙂
Okay. This is only the second post of yours I’ve read and I’m all teary eyed, dang it! But the good news is, I heart you big.
“There’s only one thing scarier than having no one who believes. And that’s finding someone who does.” Very true words. Very. But it’s also the best thing in the world, yes? I think I have more than one person to thank.
Absolutely – the scariest and the best! I heart you back! (Promise I don’t always write such mushy posts…but sometimes we gotta give thanks 😉 ) xo
Wow Alarna, you are an incredibly gifted woman, writer, poet. I have rarely read something so touching and real without being cheesy. It sounds like the two of you are inspiring and completing each other in a beautiful and unique way. It goes both ways. I wish you wonderful holidays!
Thank you for your very generous compliment. This was the most personal post I’ve ever written, and it was a real challenge to say what needed to be said. So it means a great deal to hear you say it touched you.
It really did. Thanks for sharing such intimate thoughts.