Lifelong Friendships

Everyday on my way to work, on the outskirts of Portland, I approach a school zone. (One of two.) The cars ahead of me slowly decrease their speed to the posted 15 mph. This gives me a chance to check my surroundings out a bit....maybe change the CD if I'm not digging the music. Usually, I'm listening to MPR (Maine Public Radio for those who don't know.) I'm a self-described news junkie....and if I'm going to listen to radio personalities talk, or overplayed radio commercials....then I'm going to listen to something worth paying attention to. Anyway, this is all besides the point, I'm getting to.

Every day, I see these two young boys...maybe 4th grade...walking on the icy sidewalk, under the heavy burden of their school books, lunch and whatever else mom deems necessary for their day at school. Being March in Maine, it's still pretty cold....they're bundled up in their snow pants, winter coats, knits caps with bobbing pompoms on top, mittens/gloves....almost like Ralphie's little brother in "A Christmas Story." Each cold morning, they are sparing with random tree debris from the many storms that we've had this season....and trust me...there are LOTS to choose from. I never see their faces close enough to be able to spot them in the mall (probably a good thing...mom might think I'm a stalker.) To the untrained eye, they are actually pretty good at sparing. and every morning, it's a different set of discarded tree branches...some birch, some pine and on the rare occassion some maple.

They are probably forced to dispose of their armor before entering school premises....after all, fighting and role playing of that sort are no longer allowed on the playground. But this morning, I let my mind wander with these two boys and I've decided that they continue to grow closer and stay best friends their entire lives. They experience their coming of age (thanks Mid!!!) together much like the four boys in "Stand By Me." In high school, they get crushes on the same girls, spend long nights talking about how they are going to take over the world. Throughout college, they continue on their life's journey giving each other the support that each other can give. They have children around the same age; wives that become fast friends. And their lives will always, only be complete with each other in it.