Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods. (Aristotle)
Ann and I share peanut butter sandwiches and listen to music. We sing along and fake the lyrics. It doesn’t matter whether we know the words or not. The sky promises rain. Inside we celebrate sun. Ann couldn’t see blue if it did suddenly break through unexpectedly. My friend is blind. Her eyes don’t work; her heart-vision does.
She often takes an Access bus to visit a friend in a nursing home. It cheers him up.
“How long can you stay?” I ask.
“What do you need to do today?” she answers. “I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”
The kitchen floor needs a scrub. I have edits. Always. However, I suspect I need the presence of a friend. A shared awareness of a moment that exists now and won’t return.
Ann has the uncanny knack of knowing how I really feel. The last time we were together I’d been upset, and she sensed it. Today is better. We celebrate in simple ways. I could wear a shirt one tear away from the rag bag; she wouldn’t know, or care. She cherishes more lasting values. Who a person is, an ability to give, to care.
The television is off. I’ll face the world scene later. After I accept the fact that both good and evil exist.
Ann and I blast out the words we recognize in old songs and hum when the lyrics don’t get through to our hearing aids.
“I’ll be your friend forever,” she says.
Forever is more than I can grasp. A lot has happened since time began. However, Aristotle was onto something centuries ago. Friendship has tangible value.
May you always have friends you can trust.
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terrypetersen 