It's easy to imagine that the two students became instant friends. Her innate inquisitiveness blends harmoniously with his tenacious intellect, while allowing ample room for gamboling along the way. For a period of time, when his life changed dramatically, she became his tenant. They stored many moments from those months and have quickly recalled particular incidents whenever they've been together in the years hence.
She is Connie, a treasured friend, whose life's journey includes heady days as part of Microsoft's gifted team during it's near infancy. With superb writing acumen, her skills matched the rhythm of a burgeoning business as it grew to portentous proportions.
We're excited to welcome Connie for a fleeting December visit. The agenda includes Shrimp Tacos at Fisherman's Market, several meals at our table, and sharing stories of our respective lives during the 22 months since we were last together.
Financial discussions are lively as Connie and Henry ponder an unsteady world and the prudent choices critical to avoiding monetary mayhem.
Music soothes while the duo sways to songs from earlier decades during an impromptu concert featuring Henry on keyboard and Connie handling vocals. They sound really great to me, the audience of one.
As a resident of the often chilly Northwest, our desert winter weather is a beacon for Connie. She's astounded by the array of roses, freshly plucked from our garden. One morning, she chooses what she declares is a perfect orange from the fruit-laden trees near the pool. Nothing but the rind remains after breakfast. Several times I find her gazing at Mt. San Jacinto with wonder. It is an awesome sight no matter the season.
On Tuesday, Connie graciously agrees to help me decorate the house for the Christmas holidays. With superb design aptitude and an 'eye' for details, Connie's vision soon resonates throughout the rooms. In truth, I am merely the one who fetches and hands her various items. Several closets are raided, special treasures located, boxes piled on the dining room table. I smile when angels, reindeer, snowmen, and Santas are unwrapped, each one a reminder of holidays past.
Non-Christmasy decorations are quickly sequestered in closets. Seasonal specialties occupy newly vacant spaces. Interesting, and often unusual, groupings greatly enhance the overall holiday theme. Connie is gleeful, clearly enjoying herself immensely. I'm exhuberant too, admiring the remarkable results.
Branches, procured from the nearby high school's Christmas tree lot, emit a strong evergreen fragrance and are a worthy substitute for the tree we no longer trim. Scattered across the mantle and onto tables, the greenery provides a becoming backdrop for each holiday display.
The stockings are hung, awaiting their fill. Just seventeen days until Christmas.
Thank you, dear Connie. You are a lifetime gift.
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