Ohhh...The Good Times

Everyday after school the same routine occurred. She’d follow me home. I’d walk in through the garage and, moments later, she’d knock on the front door. My dog, Kaycie, would anxiously bark, perhaps pee a little, and then hide. Once I opened the door and revealed my best friend, the dog calmed down and headed straight for her toes. Kaycie loved licking her toes. We scurried into the kitchen where we sat on the counters for endless hours with the question “what should we do today” always at hand. Though we asked the question, we were both resolved to the fact that’d we’d never come up with an idea more exciting than my mother’s chocolate chip cookies and writing list after list of who we want to be in the next 5, 10, or 15 years. On paper, we sound boring, but we were far from bored. The bond between us was fierce. It became even stronger as we both accepted Christ within days of each other and started our walk with each other’s support. I know I couldn’t have done it without her. There were so many things that I just couldn’t share with anyone else that I was close to at that time. She was my constant encouragement.

Things change and I am well aware that we don’t need each other to be there anymore. We both have good friends that, in a way, replace what we used to have, but I miss her. I don’t doubt that she is happy and I pray that she has friends that care about her as much as I do. I won’t ever stop caring, but I’ve stopped expecting that she does. For me it is impossible to ignore a friendship that is so deeply a part of who I am. So, as long as this remains, I continue to think of her often and smile at “the good times”. I think Kaycie does as well.