Here we are

In the middle of the Eastern Atlantic

Halfway between Boston and Florida

Beaches, prayers, bicycles, teenage antics

Friends for half a life

It’s been awesome, nothing short of nice.

Virginia. Norfolk. Ocean View.

Here’s a reflection on the state of me and you

It looks a bit like a final summer sunset

Or a foreclosure on the church where we met

And it feels a bit like going to a funeral

Orangey pink with a touch of black

Bittersweet when I look back

But we must look ahead too

For now you’re off to somewhere new

Boxes are packed, art has come down

Another house sold

The last of your family to leave this town

We’ve done it before – Virginia Wesleyan and ODU, Lynchburg and Boston

Universities, relationships, churches, cars

The stamps of our lives

Maybe we end up tossing them

But you know friend, I could never let you go

Sixteen years we’ve shared

Thank you for being there – when my dog died, when I thought God was dull, when I graduated and got married

So much of my soul you’ve carried

Thanks for inviting me to your house

You have the best family I ever met

It was thrilling to be in that house on 15^th Bay

In the room over the garage on countless sleepover nights

In the pool on hot summer days

And at the beach, in the waves

Some of the best memories of my life

North is Liberty and Boston

South is sun and your mom and dad

Brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews

And I hope some of the best adventures and views you’ll ever have

South is away from what was

Toward new beginnings and healing

Because that’s what God does

Sadness is what my heart is feeling

But I know whenever I stand on the shore and smell the ocean air

I’ll think of the times we were there

Looking at the shapes of the clouds

Laughing out loud

Your friendship – like expensive perfume

A song well written and sung in tune

Thanks for letting me be in so many of your chapters

I’ve cherished our adventures, sleepovers, laughter

Our times have made new roads on the map

Know if you come back

I’ll be here

In the middle of the map – halfway between the two poles

Somewhere among your old memories, ambitions, and goals

The next book will be great

New people and places

But I hope sometimes you see traces of me

Farewell, dear friend

As your next journey begins

Know that you’re a pearl – one that’s traveled up and down the coast

Being refined and polished by the Great Mapmaker

Until we  meet again – later

To our friendship – a toast