Lasting Friendship

I met Sri in 2011 when we moved into our new neighborhood. He had just gotten married the year before and moved into the neighborhood about six months earlier. We connected right away and became great friends.  He was thirty years younger than me, but that did not matter!

Sri was a Project Manager from India, and worked in the city using public transportation. As a result, he never needed to learn to drive.  He had his permit and asked if I would be willing to teach him to drive. I agreed, and we spent many evenings that summer driving through the countryside just before sunset. It was a great time to learn to know one another better. He now has his license and drives into Charlotte most days to work at one of the local banks.

Since then, we have done many projects together. He moved out of our neighborhood and closer to Charlotte which helps his commute. We still stay in touch and he often consults with me regarding things around the house. Although we see each other less, our friendship is still as strong as ever.

Lasting friendship bonds

kindred spirits together.

Sun sets // friends will last

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Some Endings…

Some endings seem to be more difficult than others…

Pulling on heartstrings trying to sew the broken

Crying tears of sorrow for a love turned cold

Graduation brings a mixed bag of joy and apprehension

Knowing challenges // struggles // and hard work lay in store

On the only path to their growth and success

Friend separation leaves empty space // but never in our heart

True friendship never ends// no matter how far they roam

Reunions always seem like it was only yesterday

 

But // losing a loved one is the most difficult of all endings

A child before parent // an unimaginable ending

A parent who passes early leaves a giant hole in one’s heart

Cruel dementia is very difficult to accept

Living on without memory is an ending none of us desire

Living till we die is what we all hope and pray for

Some endings are more difficult than others

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth

While commenting on Robert Okaji’s post “Forgotten” I wrote the statement in the opening line of this poem. I decided to use it as today’s prompt. Check out his post:

Forgotten

 

Good Friends Last Forever

 2009

During our college years, Ruth and I sang in a folk gospel group called the Optimists.  We were nothing spectacular, but we were well liked among the friends who followed us. No Grammy Awards were given and we were relatively unknown.  But for us, the friends who supported us made our lives rich and rewarding. Since that time we have come together a few times to reminisce and catch up on what is happening in our lives. No matter how long we are apart , when we get together again it is just like we had seen each other yesterday. Our friend from the past and the present still enrich our lives. It is great to be famous, but  only among our friends.

It’s nice to be famous only among friends

Among friends is all that counts

2000

Famous enough for this lifetime

It avoids a lot of unwanted baggage

Never ending expectations and tabloid garbage

No tours to make no books to sign

Just appreciation and love and that’s just fine

I still remember where I came from

  1970

And I am always home when the day is done

No paparazzi, flash bulbs, or sensational news

Only my friends care about my views

Yes, being famous is really great

The rewards are never late

My appreciation has no end

As long as being famous is only among friends