August is one of my favorite months in all its scorching glory, but this past month hung heavy like drapes of sadness overlapping memories. The first thing I had to cope with was my son growing up overnight and heading out into that big, monstrous world to compete with all those other young idealists, or maybe we could just call it “going to college,” nevertheless, a big step.
On the last day of this very emotional month, I received news of the death of a childhood friend. Like any bombshell that falls out of the sky on a regular Monday, news like that can rattle a person to their core. It’s at once upsetting and unbelievable. I think back to the last time I saw her and the last time she messaged me to call, and I didn’t take the time. Why must we always be so busy? So busy that we don’t have time for things that really matter like a great friend? A friend that might need someone to talk to, maybe a small gesture that might mean so much to someone.
Life is tough in general, even tougher for some people. Everyone has different challenges. Everyone makes mistakes. As we become older, we realize that perhaps the best feelings that fill a heart come from helping people and making this big circle of life connect to support each other.
With a heavy heart, I will say goodbye to my friend. I believe that her suffering has ended here. I believe that we go on. I will grieve for her family, her only daughter, and her little dog she left behind. I will bemoan, for a long time, not making the time to visit with her, to listen, to maybe help her sort out some of the future based on our kinship of the past.
So go now, dear girl
into that light
the day has mellowed
around you now
this bounded joy
endless dreams unfold
no more burdens, worries
or heartache
just stars
without limits
and love
without boundaries
a perfect lasting peace
calmness and serenity
and as you look down
and see me muddling
through this life
know how much
I love and miss you
and valued your friendship
Someday on that
distant shore
in an unknown place
a perfect retreat
I hope to see you
smile at me
like it’s 1979 again
and maybe
we will laugh and sing
and drive your green Vega
in a city beyond
into another realm…
Touching tribute. It sucks that death is a part of life. I’m sure your friend would have understood.
Thanks Marissa. I am just so shocked and saddened by this…didn’t expect anything like this at all.
I’m sure. Hope you are doing a bit better. I know these things are hard.
Yes, thank you, I’m coping better. The funeral is tomorrow so I will be able to gain some closure and say the things I need to say to her family. Life does have a way of reminding us how fragile it all is.
Sad and true.
Beautifully done L.T. A lesson for us all – go to see them while they are still here. Regards and condolences.
Thank you…These things have a way of just blindsiding us and coming out of nowhere.
sad to know about your friend’s demise… Heart touching poem in the form of a tribute…
Thank you…This has been tough news for me.
Your friend would probably appreciate your tribute to her. You remind us all to reach out to a friend. All the best to your son as he enters college.
Thanks. Yes I think it’s good advice. We all get stuck in the daily grind and loose sight of the things that are truly important.
It’s so sad you hadn’t managed to see your friend for so long, but this happens so often as life’s demands take up so much time. I’m sure she would understand that. Your beautiful poem is a wonderful tribute to her.
Thanks Millie, we were classmates, childhood friends growing up in a small town. Good friends like that are worth everything.
They are… and I truly understand how you feel about her loss. Hugs to you at such a dufficult time.
Your experience a common one. Doesn’t make your sadness and loss any less, but know that it is shared. Your tribute to your friend is beautiful.
Thank you so much. It is a hard thing, I’m working through it, day by day. The sun will shine again.
So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.Your poem in her honor is beautiful.
Thank you so much. She was very special to me.
So sorry for your loss. This was a touching poem in her honour and a reminder to us all to stop and take that extra moment to connect. However we all live life thus and I am sure she would understand. Life is so fleeting and a sudden wrench of a good friend from this precious earth only reinforces this fact. Take care of yourself, ride with the days and don’t expect too much for a while. Grief is all consuming. Warmest wishes.
Thank you for your wonderful compliment and kind words. I do understand that grieving is a process and I’m trying to work through it, everything will be good again.
A very touching farewell. Grief strikes us all in different ways and at differing times. It is important that we rise above its torment with positive thoughts about those whom we have lost. I’m certain that is a philosophy you have adopted.
That’s very sound advice. I’m accepting more and more and everyday is somewhat better. Thank you.
Sorry for your loss, magnifiscent tribute. For sure, wherever she is, she apreciates it very much. Touching and beautiful.
Thanks for your kind words. She was a special childhood friend. It is hard to deal with, but the days are getting better.
I’m sorry for your loss. I will be praying. God bless you.
Thank you so much. I appreciate it…it has been very difficult.
You’re welcome. If you ever need to talk I’m here. You can email me also.
Thank you!
You’re welcome
Oh Lana! I missed this beautiful and sad tribute and poem to a long time childhood friend.
We need to call, stay in touch, but even in blogging I feel great sadness that you wrote this last fall, end of summer, and I did nor say a word nor see it. . .
In my defense. No defense is truly enough.
All I can say is my summers are long, hot days. I worked 54 hours this week and 50 last. No air-conditioning just fans moving hot air from one area to another. This is my 8th summer there.
I am sorry to learn in 2016, I heard about a dear friend of yours who passed away in 2015. 🙁 <3
Oh Robin, I so sympathize with you working such long, hot hours. This was a tough one.. she was a special girl. I have come to terms with it, and I’m sure she’s having a blast up there 🙂