And it begins again. I park my car near my old office and walk to the new. I stop to get fruits and yogurt at the cafeteria, and the lady next to me radiates booze and cigarettes. Great sniff to start the morning, said I never.
It’s quiet without the buzz. No sense of urgency, and warmer in temperature than the other building.
I’m doing my best to stop thinking about the value-detractors. The ones I must wean myself from, while letting negative emotions cycle through.
I’d rather think about those that matter. In two weeks, a friend is leaving the country for good. During the past twelve months, he taught me how to have fun despite the hard knocked life stuff. We’re compatible getaway buddies. He’s not perfect, and I’m not either. We have disagreements, and he doesn’t meet all the needs of a friend. I don’t either. Sometimes he’s frustrating to be around, and I’m too serious for him at times. He and I can talk about the things we can’t with anyone else.
We love each other without expectations. He makes him buy him fancy dinner, a good excuse to hang out and laugh. I can afford it, and he knows it. This makes me laugh. No one else would demand such dinners from him, and for this, I am appreciative of his company.
I used to hate saying goodbyes and would wallow with longing long after. After people leave my daily life, I’ll probably never see them again, or at most once a year…
I used to fight against the inevitable goodbyes of life, but I’ve been taught to embrace the change with more grace and less snot. Now I understand… all good-byes are supposed to be bittersweet. Bitter for the goodbye and sweet for all the times we shared together.
I bid adieu to a friend who helped me get through the 2016 and 2017. The one who picked me up from the hospital when I was knocked out. The friend who accompanies me on exotic trips. The friend who lends me his bed when I have nowhere to go. The friend who buys me things when I prioritize others before my own wants and needs. The friend I can call on to help me get through the day.
Thank you for your present of effortless friendship.