thirty

I am so proud of how you've grown up; how mature you are; how you've turned your experiences into lessons-learned; how you always move forward, ever-fighting; how you cheer others on; how your fire rages and burns on for others; how generous you are with your light and heat; how your love extends to all, and yet you maintain boundaries; how your passion and ingenuity liken to sipping from the Fountain of Youth; how your care of the details isn't forgotten and your ever-reaching hand of care is always- politely- offered- you are a friend to treasure!

twenty-nine

My darling girl,
You and I-
We are so different;
And yet, we care for each other so-

Thank you for your care.
Thank you for your box o goodies.
Thank you for the wolf-cub that grins at me;
And through his teeth juts out a blade of grass.
He makes me giggle;
And remember that Someone Else's joy,
Is powerful enough to be my strength.

And my smile will be supported by that Divine promise.
And I will smile to you in thanks;
Thanks for reminding me of such a strong truth.

Thank you for being strong for me.

twenty-eight

As I pull my sweet potato casserole out of the oven on this Thanksgiving afternoon, I silently and sincerely whisper thanks into the air for our friendship.

You kindly took in this little college student and fed her multiple steak dinners. And not only did you always berate me for ordering my steak well-done, you sadly shook your head as I ordered a regular baked potato instead of a sweet one (with butter and brown sugar).

Thank you for setting me straight-
For letting me taste- oh so many times- your sweet potato.
(because really? who needs a desert after all that yummy goodness?)
All I needed was time; and now here I am- on this day of thanks- remembering your patience and wisdom.

twenty-seven

Where are you?
What are you up to?

You've come to mind in the last couple of weeks several times; and I've shared fun stories of our time together with others. And it is interesting, because it's been a while- since I've thought of you, and how you made me feel; and how we wanted each other.

To completely acknowledge how we were both in need of that "rebound" relationship, and found it with each other- no worries, no strings attached, and in spite of the friendship that grew between us.

(letter edited for explicit content: please read more in the blog, jabsdarkside)

I hope you are well.
Know that you are missed and remembered fondly.
I hope those wild oats didn't come back to haunt you-

twenty-six

You are so bright tonight.
And your light draws me in-
All the other lights, usually catching my attention-
Are dim, in comparison.

I need you.
I want you-
And there you are-
Shining down on me:
Not to patronize, but to shimmer your love.

On me.
I am mesmerized by the purity of your light;
Of the radiance that affects me-
Consciously and unconsciously.

You're luminous;
And you shower your light upon me;
(Upon others as well, but I don't feel jealous over your impartial gifting.)
And I am awed in your presence.
Looking up at you, and you looking at me-
I know that my eyes are glowing-
That they sparkle with your message...
Of love,
Of acceptance,
Of consistency.

twenty-five

This is what you wrote to me:

"You make me so happy every time I see you. You are a ray of happiness to me and thinking of you makes me smile."

I love you, MM. I love you for those words. I love you for your friendship. I love you for your art. That you weren't afraid of who you were and how you responded to people. That you accepted me for who I was- and loved me for who I was and was becoming. That you listened and shared. That you sang to me and played your music- you invited me in. We connected and resonated; we sat in council and deliberated life; we sang songs, danced and were silly.

And you never once crossed that romantic line.
You were thrilled to let our beings tingle-
I was thrilled to let our beings tingle-
as friends-

And I love you for it.
Thank you.

twenty-four

Thank you for being fire-keepers
You listen, you admonish, you love me-
You cry for me.
I am touched.
And I will fight to burn,
to continue to shed the light-
You don't feed this flame in vain.