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I saw my friend standing at the door to my home, smiling at me. I opened the door, shook his hand, and bid him enter. We talked for a while, and laughed a lot. Little things we had done or seen, a silly joke we had heard, a little business, a little philosophy, and then he had to go. He was my friend and I just knew that we would always be there for each other; no matter what. We shook hands and said, "See you later."
Times change. So do circumstances. Yet time and circumstance cannot change friendship. We knew this. We could still talk on the phone about the little things in our lives. The grey hairs, the children graduating from school, a silly joke, a little business, a little philosophy, getting older, the value of friendship, and love. Suddenly we knew the value of love above all else. So much had changed, yet still we knew that we would always be there for each other. Then one day we were faced with the truth we all must someday face. We were not immortal; a thing we both had known intellectually, but had never faced emotionally. The phone rang and I heard my friend's voice on the other end, and I knew. I could tell by the sound of the voice I had come to know as well as the sound of my own that something was not right. Test results were positive? Dear God, no. No! Not him! I awoke from sleep last night and I saw my friend standing by my bed. He looked young again and strong. He was smiling that old smile I had not seen in so long now. I asked him why he was here with me and how he had gotten into my house in the middle of the night. I asked him how he was so young and healthy looking again, and then I knew. The tears flowed like rain, for I knew I had lost him. He spoke softly to me then of our years, together and apart. Of our friendship and what it had meant to him. He glowed as he told me of the love that lasts beyond this life and into eternity. He told me that he would never forget me and that we were not lost to each other forever. He promised that we would find each other again and again. He told me he loved me, and then turned to go. I saw the light shining so brightly around him that I could no longer make out his form. I saw a path leading slightly upward filled with green grass and beautiful trees appear in front of him. I saw my friend wave to me as he walked up over the hill, and out of sight. Darkness returned to my room, but not to my heart. I cried tears of sadness for myself, for my temporary loss; but I laughed aloud for my friend. I knew he had gone to a better place. I knew I would find him again some day. For now, his pain and suffering are done. He is reaping the rewards of a lifetime of love and kindness. I celebrate his life and our friendship, and I thank God for the joy I saw in him as he was passing over. © 2000 by D. Ron Mack Written 8/2/2000 In loving Memory of Ron Schut who passed over on Tuesday the 1st of August, 2000 |
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