I asked this question of Josh when I saw it last night. I was relieved that he didn’t say our wedding day because that wasn’t the first thought that came to my mind either. Don’t get me wrong, our wedding day was lovely and perfect and exactly how we wanted it, but there are other days worth reliving too. By the way, his first answer was one of the days he went camping with his dad. He remembers they ate hot dogs for dinner and his dad cooked baked beans by putting the whole can in the fire. He told me he wants to relive those kind of days because then he can be with those people again. His dad passed when he was in high school. He also mentioned any of the times his mom took him to the movie theater, particularly when they saw “Independence Day” on July 3rd. His mom is also no longer with us.
The day I want to relive, or at least, the first one I thought of, is also special because of the people involved. Two years ago…or really, it’s probably been three now. I’m losing track of time, which isn’t a bad thing. Anyway, two years ago, when I was going through the worst school year of my life as the principal of my school, there were only three people who knew what that year was really like. Josh was the first. My administrative assistant, now friend, was the second. She had a literal front row seat to the drama. And then there were my friends on Ravelry. There’s a particular group I’m in and they knew every detail of what went on that year. I felt comfortable telling them about it because the website is sort of private. I’m not easy to find on there and not many people know about the website in the first place. Well, that is if you’re not a knitter or crocheter. These were my knitting friends. They live all over the world and we have been a very, tight knit (pun intended) group for many years. I, myself, have been a member of the group for well over 10 years. They supported me through that year especially. They encouraged me to quit, but also made it clear they would understand if I stayed. I did quit. And the sheer joy and celebration I got from them was truly touching.
That summer, we held our annual “camp”. As usual, we picked a city, chipped in to rent an Air BnB and spent 4 days and 3 nights hanging out with one another. I don’t go every year. But that year, it was a non-negotiable for me to go. My soul needed to be around these people who had supported me with their whole hearts when I needed it the most. So I went. That year it was in Syracuse, NY, quite a long drive.
On the last full day before we had to pack up and go home, my friends surprised me. The first day of camp fell on my birthday. We were all busy arriving and getting settled to really notice and I truly didn’t mind. When I got back home, I knew Josh was going to celebrate with me. But on that last evening, I was called downstairs under the guise of another game was about to start. I sat in the living room with the others waiting for this game to start.
However, instead of a game starting, the whole group (about 20 people) gathered behind one of the moderators of our group (the woman who suggested tulips for my blue freedom flowers tattoo). They all began singing “Happy Birthday” and walked behind the moderator as she brought a birthday cake to me with candles lit.
I was so overwhelmed with joy that I cried. These were the people who loved and supported me through one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made in my life and now they were once again showing they cared.
I will never forget that feeling, and if I could, that’s the day I’d relive.
I’m not as active in the group as I was back then. But I do try to continue my interactions with them as much as I can. They are truly a wonderful group of people. I mean, of course they are, they’re knitters. Some of the best people in the world are knitters/crocheters. That’s just the way it is.
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