You Can't Make Old Friends
Last week I got to attend a Grateful Dead reunion show(Dead & Co. with John Mayer) with some of my oldest friends. That evening left me feeling ever-so-grateful for many reasons. For one, there will always be music to lift me up and two, there will always be friends. It's important to make new friends as our paths in life change, but we can't make old ones. I hold you, my long-time friends, very close to my heart(you know who you are).
You, old friend, know who I was as a child as opposed to who I am now...someone entirely different, yet somehow the same. You know the passions I've had that have lasted my lifetime, but you also know the ones that have faded with time. You know that I can muster up a smile or a funny face in almost any scenario. You know that laughing and being weird are a few of my favorite things. You know how far I've come because you've watched me unfold...you know all about my struggles because you were there for all of them. Even when you couldn't physically be there, you were a phone call away. At the very least, I could always imagine your warm voice and the advice you would give....because I know you like you know me. It was your shoulder I cried on and, when your shoulder was out of reach, you sent love from afar.
You know that I'm honest and loyal today, but that it took a lot of time and work to get there. You know that I have red hair, which I wasn't always a fan of. You know that with my red hair comes a short temper...and that when my fuse is ignited I spew fire in every direction like a firecracker. You also know that I've learned to control my anger better than I did in the past. I got both my temper and my hair color from my Dad, who is also the reason I have a weird obsession with turtles(yup, "I like turtles"). He's the reason I know how to work hard and, more importantly, play hard. My Mom taught me about generosity, she's my biggest supporter and she's the reason I can find something to be grateful for in each new day. But, they already know all about that and you do, too...because you've been there for me through all of it.
You know that I started as a fighter and, in my journey through life, I became a lover. Sugar used to be my "food group" of choice, but adulthood replaced it with fruits and vegetables.You know that you can always count on me. You know that if I owe you something, you'll get it back before you can even miss it. You know that I'm good with numbers and money, but that I don't care about having flashy things. You know that the last statement wasn't always true. I think about you often and I love you. I try to tell you that as often as possible.
For each thing you know about me, I know one about you. I know how much you love(or miss) your family. I know what you value in life and what you're good at. I know you weaknesses too, but I consider them strengths because you've learned to work with what you were given. Sure, I may have missed some details throughout the years. Maybe there were a couple years where we didn't catch up as much as we would've liked because life got in the way. I know you at the core, though; your hopes, fears, passions and the way you show you care. And, if I had my way, I would have you around every day.
Each person I form a relationship with plays a key part in my daily experience with life, but you in particular have done more than you will ever know, just by being in this world. Whether you're right next door or on the other side of the world....whether you hugged me today(with your arms or your words) or you've moved on to whatever it is that comes after this life; you were there, you are there and you always will be there. Knowing that, and knowing you, makes my life meaningful.
You, old friend, know who I was as a child as opposed to who I am now...someone entirely different, yet somehow the same. You know the passions I've had that have lasted my lifetime, but you also know the ones that have faded with time. You know that I can muster up a smile or a funny face in almost any scenario. You know that laughing and being weird are a few of my favorite things. You know how far I've come because you've watched me unfold...you know all about my struggles because you were there for all of them. Even when you couldn't physically be there, you were a phone call away. At the very least, I could always imagine your warm voice and the advice you would give....because I know you like you know me. It was your shoulder I cried on and, when your shoulder was out of reach, you sent love from afar.
You know that I'm honest and loyal today, but that it took a lot of time and work to get there. You know that I have red hair, which I wasn't always a fan of. You know that with my red hair comes a short temper...and that when my fuse is ignited I spew fire in every direction like a firecracker. You also know that I've learned to control my anger better than I did in the past. I got both my temper and my hair color from my Dad, who is also the reason I have a weird obsession with turtles(yup, "I like turtles"). He's the reason I know how to work hard and, more importantly, play hard. My Mom taught me about generosity, she's my biggest supporter and she's the reason I can find something to be grateful for in each new day. But, they already know all about that and you do, too...because you've been there for me through all of it.You know that I started as a fighter and, in my journey through life, I became a lover. Sugar used to be my "food group" of choice, but adulthood replaced it with fruits and vegetables.You know that you can always count on me. You know that if I owe you something, you'll get it back before you can even miss it. You know that I'm good with numbers and money, but that I don't care about having flashy things. You know that the last statement wasn't always true. I think about you often and I love you. I try to tell you that as often as possible.
For each thing you know about me, I know one about you. I know how much you love(or miss) your family. I know what you value in life and what you're good at. I know you weaknesses too, but I consider them strengths because you've learned to work with what you were given. Sure, I may have missed some details throughout the years. Maybe there were a couple years where we didn't catch up as much as we would've liked because life got in the way. I know you at the core, though; your hopes, fears, passions and the way you show you care. And, if I had my way, I would have you around every day.
Each person I form a relationship with plays a key part in my daily experience with life, but you in particular have done more than you will ever know, just by being in this world. Whether you're right next door or on the other side of the world....whether you hugged me today(with your arms or your words) or you've moved on to whatever it is that comes after this life; you were there, you are there and you always will be there. Knowing that, and knowing you, makes my life meaningful.
<3 Thank you. <3
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