I will miss you, My Friend
Acquaintances come and go, their footsteps soon forgotten.
Friends stay longer, leaving a vague impression on your mind.
Best friends stay forever, for a best friend is to the end.
They cannot be forgotten, they cannot be left behind.
For even if they are physically gone, presence unseen,
a cherished piece of them full of love is always in you.
It cannot be broken, cracked, or frayed. It merely is...
and will be for all time, for they are everything you knew.
Hold steadfast to our memories gathered after 7 years of friendship.
Don't let them slip through your fingertips, falling like tiny droplets of rain
only to disappear in murky waters that do not reveal its secrets.
Cling tightly to the good memories; keep an arm's length away from the memories of pain.
Words are inadequate to express my gratitude for your help,
but I try nonetheless. But a picture is worth a thousand words;
paint an image of me in your soul, and never let it fade,
let it out of the lockbox of your mind sometimes, so that it may fly higher than even the birds.
Do not weep for me my friend, for I am always here.
Even when you search in vain and your eyes do not see,
your ears still hear my gentle laughter, softly echoed over the years.
Friend, please understand you've shaped me, helped me be:
Be everything that I ever wanted, with soft words of encouragement,
that never faltered or wavered, even when I wanted to join the choir.
I don't know how I sing, I've never heard myself outside of my shoes,
but I do know this: you've helped me fulfill my every desire.
You listened; you held me when I cried so many times over the years.
My tears were painful, I give you that, but when it was all said and done,
you helped me laugh again, something I never thought possible, my dear.
Battles lost over the years are now outnumbered by battles won.
By your side of course, where else would I be? No where else, of course.
For I like it here, even when I know some day I must travel away.
Oh... how it pains me that the graduation is only around the corner.
Soon we will drift apart; soon I won't see you every day.
I knew it was coming, but I chose to turn a blind eye to it.
I feared the day when I would no longer talk with you in the hall,
when I would no longer have the opportunity to write you note after note.
Soon it will be cold, unfeeling electronic mail, with no spontaneous trips to the mall.
I only hope that as I drift further from you, albeit unwillingly,
that you drift closer to God and find friendship with Him.
For He will never leave you, something I could never promise.
He can do everything I could not; for you He would go out on a limb.
I am not worried that He will leave you, but don't stray from Him.
For even if He is always there, if you don't let Him into your heart, you won't see His Grace.
I pray that you strengthen your Faith, and walk with Him.
Walk with him to the end of all days, until you die, and seek comfort in his embrace.
I am sorry, my friend, that I could not make the entire journey with you.
While this hurts me deeply, I know you will never, ever be alone,
for God is always in your presence, even when I am not. Hold steady in the Word,
and when you have time... My friend, find my number and pick up the phone.
Dedicated (with a bit of pain, and sadness for the coming year) to "phat128", another fanfiction author, and my RL best friend of 7 years. We will be attending separate colleges in the fall. Words do not express my appreciation; I completely believe that without her I would not be who I am today.