When I said goodbye
to my oldest friend for the first time a year ago, it wasn’t easy. We were
parting for college, and the combination of not being able to walk 8 houses
down the street and not knowing when we’d see each other next was unsettling.
We shared one last embrace, and quickly said bye before any last words could be
spoken.
While a few
hundred miles separated us, communication was still quite frequent. We’d
discuss how school was going and compare our new lives. Keeping in touch was
nice, but it was never the same as before. Previously we’d drive to school together
everyday; although most car rides consisted of either arguing or silence, they
were still precious time that in retrospect, we always took for granted. Those two right and three left turns compounded over hundreds of 8 minute rides racked up
hours of the one commodity we can’t ever get back—time.
From the days of
playing Pokémon in the front yard, bug catching, mixing athletic beverages with
sodas, and making forts on the Camp Holiday buses in the afternoons to rolling
two on the diamond and playing halo till our eyes would stop working, we’ve had
many moments together. Each moment shared
was undoubtedly unappreciated at the time, yet each is forever instilled in the
both of us.
While I wouldn’t
argue that we fundamentally shaped the individuals who we are today, the both
of us certainly had a large impact and made a difference in the other’s life.
When we come back and see each other during breaks, each time we say goodbye it’s
a see you later, not for good or permanent. Each time we see each other we’re
more cognizant of the fact that our time together is dwindling, that the
unwanted goodbye is nearing as it always has. And while the days together now
are scarce, we were lucky enough to share the last few weeks of our summer
together. Whether it was playing tennis, one-on-one basketball or watching him
order 5 nuggets and 1 burger too many at McDonald’s at an awfully late hour, it
was like we had never even left. With some people, the right people, no matter
how far apart you may be; it’s only distance.
Some say to stay
close with your friends you need to make a conscious effort to communicate.
Well, I believe the contrary. At times our communication grew to a bare
minimal, but that never had its negative effects. Through thick and thin we
were always there for each other. We learned there’s no such thing as a
permanent goodbye. There’s no distance that can affect a special friendship or
relationship. And that there’s certainly no such thing as an expiration date.
As the cliché adage goes, “Distance only makes the heart grow fonder.”
To my best friend.
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