Each friend represents a world in our life. They become routine, like stirring coffee before taking a sip. You get used to seeing them every week, sometimes every day, because you need to try a new restaurant or because you need to tell them how you bumped into your crush, or because she needs a shopping buddy who’ll tell her if the dress she chose made her look fat. Or maybe because you just need someone to talk to about your dreams and plans over a hot cup of chocolate.
Then one day they tell you they’re leaving.
Leave physically though, not emotionally. You’ve been expecting them to tell you this, but the truth still stuns you. You know in your mind that despite the distance, they’re still there for you. That you should be happy because they are finally reaching their stars. That you should be rejoicing too because they are now off to a greener pasture. But somehow, in your heart, you also know that your routine gets disrupted. The usual cycle somehow stops. No more stirring the coffee. It becomes tasteless. No more spontaneous meetups. And it’s quite heartbreaking.
Or maybe I’m still hanging on the edge - still trying to accept the idea that I’m going to be left behind by some of my closest friends. Which is all happening so fast. You know me, I’m selfish and stubborn.
I know I’ll get over this but as of now, I want you to know that I’ll be missing you so much.
My prayer for you my dear friends will be one of strength, courage and good health. May you find what you’re looking for and keep it. May you have joy and peace, and may you be happy in what you do. Always know that I’ll be around (waiting for you to send me tickets to our next destination). Till we meet again!
And before anyone else sees teardrops on the keyboard, I’ll end this post with Kahlil Gibran’s take on friendship.
On Friendship
Kahlil Gibran
Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind,
nor do you withhold the "ay."
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared,
with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence,
as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth:
and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.