blogger profile

Rhi Bowman

Freelance Writer/ Student

Rhi (pronounced Ree) B. is short for Rhiannon Bowman. Rhi B. is me. I’m a young woman– a newly wed, mother of two spoiled rotten cats and student– working hard to get out of college and on with the business of freelance writing. Trading money for words is a lifelong dream. After allowing...

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Starshine's Big Adventure

Starshine (a.k.a. Lisa) called during our party Saturday and asked me to put a brush in the mailbox. I thought she’d gotten lucky and needed a moment to de-tangle her sexy long hair. The next morning, though, I found out the truth: she was locked out of her home. As things go, she was going back into her home to fetch her own brush when her lock broke. She was locked out with her keys. The only person in the world with key to her backdoor, apparently, is her mother, who was out of town for Thanksgiving.

You know, when my mother goes out of town I rarely remember all of the details. I mean, I’m busy, too. So, I wasn’t shocked when Starshine didn’t remember if her mother was returning home Sunday or some other day. Since she left food on the stove (though fortunately it was off) and a project on her sewing table (she’s creating a Victorian Christmas for her mother), Starshine was hoping mom would be home Sunday to let her in. Turns out mom planned for Tuesday.

In the same position, I probably would have boo hoo’ed and kicked something – or at least stomped my feet and cussed a little. Not Starshine, though. She made an adventure out of her time away from home. She visited with friends, bought a new outfit, let me make her hot chocolate two nights in a row and enjoyed our couch (our spare rooms are full with Mr. Wonderful’s co-workers who all descended on the Queen City this week from their usual hiding places).

And, we finally had a chance for that crochet lesson we’d been talking about. It took a couple hours, but she experience the “click” (you know the one – it’s also around when learning to ride a bike or drive a stick shift). She’s going to have a lovely lavender scarf any day now.

Today, though, I came home and Starshine wasn’t here. The house was tidy and quiet, the cats sleeping in the sunshine she’d let in through the blinds that are usually closed. I’m going to miss that lady. She only lives across town, but it was nice having her here to giggle and play with.

I’m so proud of her for turning her misfortune into an adventure. I think, in return for the room and board, she offered me a very valuable life lesson... or, at least, a reminder: we only have this moment in time. We’re only ever going to have this moment in time. Might as well smile and let the sun shine in.

I’m so happy Starshine is my friend I gave her our last Star (a.k.a. blueberry) Pie.

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