The man looks sad tonight. My friend on the moon. His face has changed. Maybe it’s because my dirty bedroom window has tainted his pale visage. Or maybe it’s just the wisp of cloud passing him by. Or maybe I’ve changed. hunter's moonI’ve been too busy to acknowledge him of late, and really, we can only get together once or twice a month. I know, I’m not the most easily accessible friend. I never answer my phone, I don’t have time to gaze at the sky, I’m hardly online anymore, I go to sleep before midnight, I rarely post blog entries! I’m such a flake, and the man knows it. And he is sad, and I feel guilty. But I have good reason, you know. I work a lot, two jobs now, and am still in school.

Another friend I’ve neglected lately wrote me a letter. A real, snail mail letter. You know how exciting it is to get an email from a good friend? Well, let me tell you, it is 100 times more exciting to get an actual letter in your mailbox! Breaks up the monotony of bills and Victoria’s Secret catalogs. (Even better, my federal tax refund arrived in the mail the same day!)

I was talking to a coworker recently about art, and how I’d really love to take a class in figure drawing or oil painting. She asked why I hadn’t yet, and I replied, “I’ve just got so much else to do! Other classes that have priority, job responsibilites, sleep to catch up on, etc.” You know, life. And she said something like, “Be careful. There will always be other things to do.” And it’s so true, and you hear it all the time, you know? But you rarely stop to think about how time affects your friendships. And how long it has actually been since you’ve seen certain friends, or talked to them, or hell, even sent a measly email or Facebook comment. And then the guilt sets in, and then the fear they’ll be angry with you , so you put off that phone call even longer and THEN! there you are five years, ten years later, and sure, some of those friends you’re kind of glad to be rid of, but some you really, really miss, and google every now and again and wonder what they’re up to, and where they’re living and you hope that one day, maybe, you’ll be able to reconnect with them, if you’re lucky :)

I’ve been pretty lucky lately. I have some of the best friends in the world. Friends who send letters in the mail. Friends who collaborate and create beautiful art. Friends who will talk on the phone for hours if need be. Friends who are really good people. Don’t be jealous. If you need a good friend too, I could always use a spare :)

Advertisement