This may sound frivolous. Stupid. Inane. But here it is anyway.
When I went to the Southern Comfort Conference (SCC) in September 2013, I was reeling. I'd just been thrown out of the place I was living by my MIL. I was living at the charity of a friend. I didn't realize how this road trip to Georgia would change my life.
Before that all happened, I agreed with my dear friend Stephanie S. to sponsor bringing Trans Icon Linda Lewis to SCC. At this point, I hadn't met her- just spoken on the phone a few times. On the second day of the conference, blasted by a hangover, I met Linda. I was star struck.
After a quick lunch, Linda, myself, and Devrah (Linda's roomie for the conference) went shopping. I drove. First we went to a makeup store, so Linda could help Devrah select a proper makeup "palette." We then went to a nearby mall. While there, we went to Victoria's Secret.
At Victoria's Secret, I bought two bras- one of which was a navy blue 38C. It was soooo comfortable. It quickly became my favorite bra.
I wore it a LOT.
Well, today I put on my favorite navy blue bra. It was a little tight and caused fierce cleavage (darn!) Then I went to work. And maybe two hours into my shift, I felt something poking into my right side. It hurt!
Yes, the underwire had poked through the fabric.
So after three and a half years, the navy blue bra was done.
It was my favorite not just because it was comfortable, or because it was flattering. I even continued to wear it when I "outgrew" it (I'm now a full D.)
Why?
Because it represented something. It was a tangible reminder of that trip. A Souvenir of sorts. On that trip, I met Linda, who would become my bestie and roomie. And it was the last time I saw my dearest friend Lisa. I still remember her smile as she waved to me after we parted.
Two women, one entering my life and one leaving it- only I had no idea that either was happening.
Lisa changed my life. And Linda has changed my life.
Tomorrow, I will put the worn out navy blue bra in a plastic baggie. I will take it to my storage site, where it will be put in a box of mementos- well, actually a box of bras I don't wear. I don't wear them because they are way too small- mostly B cups. They were Lisa's. Her widow Sandy gave them to me among many other things of Lisa's. The navy blue bra will join them in their box: retired.
Because I absolutely cannot consider parting with it. It is, for me, a Totem: a Holy Relic of a time now Passed; of a trip that represented a clear dividing point of my Life Before, and my Life Now.
Of two people who, with their presence in my life have defined me.
Lisa.
Linda.
Am I reading too much into this? I don't think so. Perhaps I am just frivolous. Stupid. Inane.
But there it is anyway.
Be Well.
***** See me read this entry HERE ******
When I went to the Southern Comfort Conference (SCC) in September 2013, I was reeling. I'd just been thrown out of the place I was living by my MIL. I was living at the charity of a friend. I didn't realize how this road trip to Georgia would change my life.
Before that all happened, I agreed with my dear friend Stephanie S. to sponsor bringing Trans Icon Linda Lewis to SCC. At this point, I hadn't met her- just spoken on the phone a few times. On the second day of the conference, blasted by a hangover, I met Linda. I was star struck.
After a quick lunch, Linda, myself, and Devrah (Linda's roomie for the conference) went shopping. I drove. First we went to a makeup store, so Linda could help Devrah select a proper makeup "palette." We then went to a nearby mall. While there, we went to Victoria's Secret.
Shopping with an Icon
At Victoria's Secret, I bought two bras- one of which was a navy blue 38C. It was soooo comfortable. It quickly became my favorite bra.
I wore it a LOT.
Well, today I put on my favorite navy blue bra. It was a little tight and caused fierce cleavage (darn!) Then I went to work. And maybe two hours into my shift, I felt something poking into my right side. It hurt!
Yes, the underwire had poked through the fabric.
So after three and a half years, the navy blue bra was done.
It was my favorite not just because it was comfortable, or because it was flattering. I even continued to wear it when I "outgrew" it (I'm now a full D.)
Why?
Because it represented something. It was a tangible reminder of that trip. A Souvenir of sorts. On that trip, I met Linda, who would become my bestie and roomie. And it was the last time I saw my dearest friend Lisa. I still remember her smile as she waved to me after we parted.
With Lisa that Final Night
Two women, one entering my life and one leaving it- only I had no idea that either was happening.
Lisa changed my life. And Linda has changed my life.
Tomorrow, I will put the worn out navy blue bra in a plastic baggie. I will take it to my storage site, where it will be put in a box of mementos- well, actually a box of bras I don't wear. I don't wear them because they are way too small- mostly B cups. They were Lisa's. Her widow Sandy gave them to me among many other things of Lisa's. The navy blue bra will join them in their box: retired.
Because I absolutely cannot consider parting with it. It is, for me, a Totem: a Holy Relic of a time now Passed; of a trip that represented a clear dividing point of my Life Before, and my Life Now.
Of two people who, with their presence in my life have defined me.
Lisa.
Linda.
Am I reading too much into this? I don't think so. Perhaps I am just frivolous. Stupid. Inane.
But there it is anyway.
Be Well.
***** See me read this entry HERE ******
Sophie -
ReplyDeleteYou simply have a tool to help you resurrect memories that you want to preserve - that that very important.
M
A beautiful piece of your heart. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteA very touching remembrance... thank you for sharing Sophie.
ReplyDeleteI'd most likely do the same thing in the same circumstance. Throwing it out would not be an option!
ReplyDelete