Life's Bonuses

While cleaning out our office today, I came across a notebook I used to record info for our house in Washington. In thumbing through it, I found this poem I had scribbled down last summer. Prior to our move to Angola, I had traveled through Texas, Missouri, California, and Washington. I was able to visit with over 50 friends I have collected over the years, beginning with college roomies in 1967. What a joy that was since I hadn't seen a couple of them in 35 years! (We really must do reunions more often!) It seems like I have had many lifetimes, each with their own distinct memories. I have valued your friendships, although it's impossible to capture the emotions of having such special friends. To you, my friends . . .

Through miles
And years
Through smiles
And tears
All these we have traveled together

Through loss
And gain
Through joy
And pain
These too we have traveled together

Through death
And birth
Through grief
And mirth
We also have traveled together

Once young
Now old
Once timid
Now bold
We have steadily traveled together

Years come
Years go
Some fast
Some slow
But still we have traveled together

Such treasures
I keep
Both awake
Or asleep
Knowing we’ve traveled together

Though our paths
Often part
You’re still close
To my heart
Ever grateful we’ve traveled together