This is my entry for the 
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
We walked out of the first day of preschool holding hands. She is the person of my choosing who has known me the longest - through every part of my life since I was 3. I have very few friends. I tend to give all of myself, my true self, to my partner, opting to invest heavily in the romantic relationship instead of the friendships.
Or maybe it is that I struggle with revealing all of me to too many others because I find it taxing in an empathic way that leaves me with less after the encounter.
Or maybe I just don’t know how to make friends.
From the 10 years I spent teaching in North Carolina, there is only one person that I can still call a friend. But even though romantic partnerships have changed, and the many acquaintances I have made over the years have fallen into the past, my one dear friend remains.
She was the first person I told when I received the email that changed my life. And she drove 3 hours the next day just to make sure I had someone to hug. I have made many unconventional choices since that day. She may, in fact, think I am crazy, but she lovingly tells me she is proud of my bravery, and never failed to send me little notes of encouragement.
At a low moment when I had nothing to give, I wanted her to know how grateful I am that we walked out of preschool holding hands that day. The words that flowed out of me weaved themselves into the gift of poetry, creating something I could offer to her, and fostering healing in me as I took a moment for myself, and with myself, to act in gratitude. Words have always been dear friends of mine, and so it is fitting that they showed up in my dark night of the soul to bring light and share love with her.
You are more precious than the silver in my lock-box.
You are more meaningful than the quotes on my office desk.
Your acts of kindness and support gather my strength
like the leaves blown into piles on my street.
Though fragile and drifting,
together they can stop the traffic of doubt and uncertainty
that dwell in the lonely places of my thoughts.
I wish for you the happiest of birthdays.
I send to you, Peace. Love. Joy. Contentment.
And I offer you my friendship forever.
