i am standing in the parking lot, sheltered from the south-Georgia heat by the shade of spanish-moss and live-oaks. i’d JUST gotten to St. Simons - a surprise trip to see a friend who was about to have a baby.
a white mama-mobile pulls up behind me and she hangs her head out to get my attention: “Mandy! Mandy! I’m Sarah Markley - I have a blog.” (as if i wouldn’t recognize her face?!)
“I-READ-IT-EVERY-DAY!!!” she and her family are there on vacation. no surprise, EVERYBODY goes to St. Simons Island for vacation. we talk for a minute and then she puts the car in gear with “i just wanted to introduce myself.”
i watch the back of her car and think: that was too short.
“Sarah!”
“Sarah!!!”
“SARAH MARKLEY!!!!”
her brake lights shine - and i catch up with the car: “How long are you gonna be here?”
she smiles, “a few more days.”
“well, i’d love to sit down and talk with you. let me get your information.”
i climb in the passenger seat - and as i’m talking about St. Simons and all the people i’m going to see and asking about her daughters (who are conveniently with Chad, her husband, for this brief moment of spontaneity) she starts driving past blue water and blue skies.
i introduce Sarah to everyone at my mentor’s house, then explain: “if i don’t hug some necks soon i’m gonna be in big trouble.”
my mentor gives me the LOOONGEST hug and i think “NOW sarah will understand why i miss this place so much.”
suddenly my eyes pop open.
the clock says 6:09 am.
this jolt to reality has left me confused - where am i? St. Simons???
all that excitement exits my body with a sigh. i’m in boston.
it was just a dream.
24 responses so far ↓
mandythompson // June 2, 2008 at 7:17 am
WRITER’S NOTE
i wrote this in true Sarah form: 300 word limit, colorful, with the punchline at the end.
sarah - i’ve said this a bazillion times - love your writing style.
lori // June 2, 2008 at 9:12 am
What a cool dream! I either don’t dream, or, more realistically, just don’t remember them!
TheNorEaster // June 2, 2008 at 9:16 am
“suddenly my eyes pop open. the clock says 6:09 am. this jolt to reality has left me confused - where am i? St. Simons??? all that excitement exits my body with a sigh. i’m in boston. it was just a dream.”
DON’T MESS WITH MY HEAD LIKE THAT!!!
tawny // June 2, 2008 at 9:58 am
Mandy, I still miss Savannah like crazy and I only lived there for 3 years. So I can bear a little bit of your burden.
tam // June 2, 2008 at 11:05 am
you’re good!
but you ran the poor girl down??? stalker. even in your dreams.
good morning sunshine! love you!
Jen Griffin // June 2, 2008 at 11:44 am
I believed you!!
mandythompson // June 2, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Jen & TheNor: hehehe!!!! now you know how i felt when i woke up. sigh…
Tam: good mornin’
Lori: you just don’t remember. psychologists say that the human brain has to dream. you’d be crazy if you didn’t…
Tawny: oh savannah!!! where & when were you there? did you ever eat at Mrs. Wilkes’?
Heather // June 2, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Maybe you are preggers … my most realistic dreams come when I am pregnant!
Brandy // June 2, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I was WAY WAY bummed for you. Really. I was all clapping my hands excited at the idea of you meeting a blogger you love and then….. DANG DREAMS!!!!
heehee
And I agree with Heather up there…. VERY realistic dreams when pregnant. Just sayin’.
Brandy // June 2, 2008 at 2:13 pm
And thatyouverymuchmissy for showing me a blog that I now think I might have to read more of. B/c I have so much time and all.
HAHA!!!
mandythompson // June 2, 2008 at 3:38 pm
i’m not pregnant!
Natalie Witcher // June 2, 2008 at 4:07 pm
That’s awesome!
charitymedders // June 2, 2008 at 4:15 pm
sad..wish you had been here!
Kristiapplesauce // June 2, 2008 at 4:22 pm
this made me sad.
tawny // June 2, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I lived in Savannah, oh 12 years ago? My son was born there. I miss the trees and the river and going to the beach when I was mad at my husband. Is mrs wilkes that place that everyone sits on long tables all together and they have the best macaroni and cheese in the world? I think I ate there once but the office I worked for used to go get stuff and bring it back for lunch sometimes.
hislifeformine // June 2, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I was so in the car with you and then…whiplash! Waking up is just so rude sometimes
alece // June 2, 2008 at 5:14 pm
you dream about your blog friends a whole lot it seems.
mandythompson // June 2, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Tawny: YES! that’s TOTALLY Mrs. Wilkes!!! oh girl… its home to me.
Al: i KNOW!!!
Charity: oh i SO wish i’d been there.
Kristi: sorry…
cathi stegall // June 2, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one who dreams bloggage…validation makes me smirk! Yeah!
Cindy Beall // June 3, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Wow. I was so excited for you. Cuz I want to meet Sarah Markley, too.
And you.
And Tam.
And some others.
Darla // June 4, 2008 at 5:26 am
I don’t like those kind of dreams..it seems to elevate me while I sleep, but the hard truth of “just a dream” makes it hard to shake the heavy heart to start the day. I used to have those alot, years ago..seemed I just really wanted something I just could not have at that time. Jesus fills the void..I am still learning this!
Sarah Markley // June 4, 2008 at 11:44 am
Mandy, just catching up….SO SORRY I DIDN’T READ YOU on Monday. You are toooooo funny.
Except, I don’t drive a white car…dark blue, in fact. Or as my two year old says - black. Not really, honey. She knows every other color, but, I guess, dark blue.
You also failed to mention the cheerios, left over french fries and soggy goldfish that litter the back seat. Be careful where you sit….
I wish I could you meet you too, friend!
Chad Markley // June 4, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Ok, this is way too funny.
Mandy, I think it might be time for you to take a “Blogging Break”.
mandythompson // June 4, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Chad: not nice. she started it, anyway… a few weeks ago.