Sharing a Moment

Friendship is all about sharing moments. A recent Oprah show on couples makeovers reminded me of "The Kilt" episode.

I was at the mall with Karen and her college-age daughter Emily -- Karen and I met through work decades ago, and I've known Emily since she was a gleam in her parents' eyes. Anyway, as we were strolling along we encountered a man wearing a kilt. We all took note but said nothing. After all, this was "keep Portland weird" territory.

Not long afterwards we made a detour down a short hallway to use the restroom. When Emily and I were finished we stepped out into the hallway to await Karen. Who should emerge from the men's restroom opposite us but -- the man in the kilt. He returned to the main mall concourse and as soon as he turned the corner, Emily and I burst into laughter.

The mental image of the gentleman manipulating his kilt at the urinal had us in stitches. No words necessary. Friends sharing the same bizarre thoughts.

Friends are those people with whom you exchange a look and communicate so much without a single word uttered. A single work or phrase can return both of you back to that shared experience, no further explanation necessary.

'Tis the season to cherish those family, friends, and relations with whom we've shared so much.