Friendships with Commas

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inFriends, Gardens, Georgia O'Keeffe, LadyBudd, VancouverTags:, , ,

A long-time friend once said to me, “We have a friendship, with commas.”

“What does that mean?” I asked.

“It means that, no matter how much time has passed, we pick up our conversation where we left off. There are no “periods” in our friendship timeline.”

This memory floated into my thoughts as I was reaching high above my head to capture a photo of a flowers.

What I love most about flowers is their willingness to bloom, without receiving anything in return. There is no quid pro quo. They bloom because that is what they were meant to do. They arrive in season, without commas, welcoming us to enjoy their moment in the sun.

Georgia O’Keeffe wrote: “Nobody sees a flower – really – it is so small it takes time – we haven’t time – and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time.”

May our time be fill with many commas.

Join me in walking in the St. Albert’s Botanical Garden. You need to take a rain hat, because it is raining!

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

31 thoughts on “Friendships with Commas”

  1. A gorgeous walk, even in the rain, thank you! “Good friends are like stars – you can’t always see them but you know they are always there.” 🌸⭐️🥰

    Liked by 1 person

    1. And your light, my dear friend, shines across the pond. When it rains, I have a decision – should I bring my umbrella or my camera. You can guess which one I take….

      Liked by 1 person

  2. A very lovely friendship philosophy and one to be envied. What this world of ours needs considering what our century’s speed crazed society must now contend, as with the obsolescence factor on near everything from the minimal mundane, up to and even including friendship, which with the advent of Facebook the word friend has become a generic term much like the trademark word of Frigidaire became the reference name for all marks of refrigerators, all of which we have come to consider as normal. And if I may be so bold, from my collection of friendship poems, I would include my first ever published poem called “Friend”, and another short one from much later, called “A Friendship” both of which you must delete from this your post, if I exaggerate upon your generosity…

    “ Friend ”
    – a singular entitlement –

    Why do they call me friend…

    What is their cause
    Or purpose
    To judge me worthy,
    That they should levy
    Such expression of regard,
    Entrust this much
    Responsibility
    To be bestowed
    Upon my person,
    Thus be asked to manage
    With this impressive status…

    And to this call, friend
    A singular entitlement,
    Who finds possess
    Such impartiality
    Could deem me deserving,
    Or capable indeed
    To discharge such obligation,
    Required and implied
    When one is given title,
    That of being called friend…

    Why do they call me friend!

    © Jean-Jacques Fournier

    “ A Friendship ”
    – that august gift –

    Of rare occasion
    Be such a present,
    That of friendship,
    Held to bestow
    Upon ones life,
    Chance caused
    Find a place
    Where so decides,
    Incarnate state
    Best be ascribed,
    Thus years ago
    Two scores or more,
    Serendipity alas
    Upon me did bestow
    That august gift!

    © Jean-Jacques Fournier

    Please forgive my forwardness… JJ

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I love your forwardness and your words of friendship. Your thoughts on how friendship has become generic, resonated, especially in a time when our reward systems need a complete retrofit. We measure our personal value by the number of likes rather than engaging conversations, speed over thoughtful reflection, fashion over style. Friendship brings health and wealth to our spirit.
      “And to this call, friend
      A singular entitlement,
      Who finds possess
      Such impartiality
      Could deem me deserving,
      Or capable indeed…”

      It is my turn to be bold! Would it be possible to read these two poems on an upcoming podcast about friendship, giving full credit to you? My podcast is Tea Toast & Trivia? This is the latest podcast episode:
      https://anchor.fm/teatoasttrivia/episodes/Its-About-Time-e4k88k

      I am conscious of copyright and I don’t want to infringe. I will understand completely if you do not think this would be appropriate. As always, I enjoy our conversations! Thank you!!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Well of course you can use them. I am both pleased and flattered that you should consider my scribbles for your podcast. May I ask in return that you let me know when it is to take place, so as to also benefit of your podcast? Have a nice day Rebecca, and thank you for your ongoing interest in our world of poetry!

        Liked by 2 people

    1. I have been given a great deal of thought to friendships, community, transitions, creative endeavour. It seems we are the best when we connect our talents and resources. Thinking of you on your new adventure.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I love your little video of a special St. Albert location, I have looked at it at least three times and probably will view it again. it is lovely and brings back such good memories. You will have another time to take photos of this location in a few weeks, I look forward to it. Thank you for sharing! !

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Rebecca, your post struck a chord particularly as I saw it yesterday when I’d just earlier in the day received an email. She is a friend I made the first day I arrived in the England aged six and we keep in sporadic contact … however every time we talk/email/meet up it’s just as if we were together yesterday. Such friendships are true gifts in our lives.

    Ahh … thank you for sharing the beautiful botanical gardens and their glorious flower, just being! I place I have to add to my list to visit in Canada … I’ll get there one day! Hugs xx 😀🌺❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Childhood friends hold a very special place in our memories. They have been with us from the start, the beginning of our lives. They remember how we were before all the other firsts that came after – graduations, wedding, children. I believe that these friendship prepare us for all the friendship that come into our lives, allowing us to forge strong and vibrant connections. Thank you for your friendship and for adding beauty to my day. I love that lavender garden – a must see on my list of must sees.

      Liked by 2 people

  6. So much beauty! Thank you also for the video. I recently reread Kierkegaard’s The Lily of the Field and the Bird of the Air where he contemplates that in addition to their simple beauty, they teach silence, obedience, and joy.

    Liked by 2 people

  7. Such a lovely post, Rebecca. A deep friendship with lots of commas takes gentle tending and plenty of space for each to grow as individual blooms in the same garden. Love the video. I actually prefer walking in a rainy garden versus a sunny one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. How very well said! Everyone has a unique perspective and definition of friendship. But true friendship is born when there is “plenty of space for each to grow as individual blooms.” Friends with commas share a profound respect for each other, celebrating diversity and freedom of expression. One of my favourite Eleanor Roosevelt’s quotes is “Many people will walk in and our of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.” Thank you for being a friend, with commas. I enjoy our conversations!!

      Liked by 3 people

  8. I had never heard this expression before, and I love it. Beautiful photograph compilation on your video, it must have smelled delightful. Any favourite flowers in the botanical gardens?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Friends with commas are the best! I have found many within our marvelous blogging community. Thank you for connecting and sharing your knowledge and creativity. Hugs coming your way. P.S. I try to pick a favourite flower but alas, they are all beautiful.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Pingback: Episode 23: Friendship Through the Voice of Poet, Jean-Jacques Fournier – Tea Toast & Trivia

  10. The names we’ve given to some of our punctuation marks originally referred not to the marks themselves but to the words the marks set off. Greek komma meant literally ‘a piece cut off’ and by extension ‘a short clause in a sentence.’ A period is etymologically ‘a going around.’ We use a period to indicate we’ve metaphorically gone fully around, have finished a thought, and are ready for a new sentence.

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