i hope my words are strange and wondrous,

like kisses that quiet all things superfluous,

so that we can all stop and

listen

the ties of familiarity, yet the lack of routine, of chores and necessary activity

are sufficient to provide the most brilliant sort of rest that a heart needs.

but that is not worth too many words, and shall end itself here.

the most precious joy in returning here every year is to see the few faces that remain in my heart

through time, through distance, past age and year.

to step foot into my home away from home,

to sleep next to the girl i cannot remember life without,

and converse as though we were only yesterday parted is truly a blessing i will hold dear all my life.

to meet with the boys,

who were boys 8 and 10 when we met,

and are now dark-skinned, roughened army men of 20

to a quiet girl who always was, and is, knowing but not knowing

to laugh with them,

to walk with them at leisure,

to hug them,

to love them always and always beyond words

gives me purpose and strength,

gives me joy and love and courage.

so much love.

no words can come close to capturing that delicious overwhelming sense of affection

that spills and washes clean the damaged and dirty wounds of my heart.

with friends like these...

i thank God for you all.

for loving me from short to tall, from little to slightly larger, from gawky to rounded, from boyish to girl, from ugly to better.

for 18 years of life, in all its forms, in all its aspects, in walking side by side.

for 12 years of memories, of friendship, of laughter, no tears.

for 10 years of loving, of ups and downs and crazy arounds, no change.

for 9 years of consistency, of quietness, of goodness and sweetness.

i love you all so much.

i really do.