Saturday, March 3, 2018
Mimi
I absolutely love this picture of Mimi. She looks stunning. She's there with her fiance--they had just gotten engaged--celebrating his 23rd birthday at San Francisco's Playboy Club. The 1960s were swinging and they were young and in love.
Mimi is one of my mother's two long-term friends. She and my mom met working as telephone operators in San Francisco.
When I was little, I remember mom driving up to the city for regular afternoon visits with Mimi and Sweetpea, her pet cat. Sweetpea, named after Popeye and Olive Oyl's little one, was a very mellow kitty and let me pet her. I 'played' with Sweetpea while mom and Mimi caught up on things.
At some point in the 80s, Mimi and her hubby relocated to the wine country. Although I no longer saw much of Mimi, she would regularly send me a birthday card & book. I looked forward to the birthday books every year. Mimi steadily sent me books until I reached high school age. After that, she continued to send me cards. I treasured her contact & always made a point to respond with a thank-you note.
When Mimi's husband died five years ago, my mom called to share the sad news. I sent Mimi a condolence card. After moving back from Switzerland in 2015, I was living in a suburb where, incidentally, Mimi's sister-in-law lives. Mimi often came down to stay with her in-law, and during one of those visits we were able to meet up for a coffee. I hadn't seen Mimi in about thirty years. It was wonderful to see her, but strange as well. As a child, I had literally always looked up to her. This time, I was looking down at her. -such a strange shift in perspective. I felt I could scoop her up in my arms if need be. The things you don't forget about someone were still there: same voice, same stunning blue eyes, same humor. We chatted for over three hours. I guess that's just about one hour for every decade gone by. It was a tremendous visit.
When we moved to our current place two years ago, I invited Mimi to our housewarming. Long-term friends and family had been invited as well as a cast of newer acquaintances. Unfortunately, Mimi had fallen ill at the last minute and couldn't make it. I sent her a get-well card and filled her in on who all had been here and what folk were up to these days. Last year, I had another soiree at the house and again invited Mimi. She again fell ill and couldn't make it. I sent her another get-well card.
I had lunch with my mom a couple of weeks ago. She told me that Mimi had just gotten over a bout of pnenumonia. I sent Mimi a greeting card letting her know that I was thinking of her and glad she was on the mend.
My mother rang me today to let me know that Mimi had died in her sleep last night. I certainly wish I could have seen her one last time, but I am glad that she did not suffer. And I will very much miss our correspondence.
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Wood/Driftwood
Bartie in the yard. Backyard horse, Palo Alto Ocean Beach filled with art materials. Wild wood in Golden Gate Park The most I've 'ma...
I'm sorry to hear about this, Bea. This was a nice tribute to Mimi. She sounded like a wonderful person and will definitely be missed. Take care.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks. She was a wonderful person.
DeleteSympathy and hugs.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much. x
DeleteMi Mi looked very nice.
ReplyDeleteShe was. And she was funny, frank & just sort of 'went with the flow'.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear of your loss. It's amazing how perspectives change from childhood. A link to the past.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liz.
Delete