goodbye
When I was a freshman in college, there was a group of us that formed a sort of ‘pack’ that did most things together: we ate, laughed, fought, traveled and slept (as far as I know, in the most Platonic of senses) together. As the years have worn on (haha, it’s really only been three, but ‘worn on’ seems so much more mature) some of us have left, other have married, some have grown apart and back together, and some of us have stayed together for this whole time (such diversity is the nature of friendship). Well, last night some of the original crew and some new members of this now waning ‘pack’ got together to bid farewell to one of us who has been with us for the last three years. We talked and sang, all mutually enjoying (as far as I could tell) each others company. And as our departing friend sang, we smiled sadly as we knew it might be a long time until we saw him again. His played a song about growing close and tearing apart and I could feel the looming pain, for I will be soon leaving this place and these people just as our friend has just done. Then, the hint of pain I felt last night will no longer be a hint, but profound. I hope our friend fares well, and must believe he will, if not for his sake, then at least for my own.
