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{Straight From the Heart} *FRIENDS. . .NO MATTER WHAT?* 5/4/00
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FRIENDS. . .NO MATTER WHAT?
By: Lynn M. Lombard
"Are you his mother?" he asked me sarcastically after I was telling a
fellow classmate what to do. Two years my senior, he was tall, with a
large and muscular physique. He wore dark-colored clothing, usually
camouflage, showing everyone what a navy-buff he truly was. At first
glance, he didn't seem to have a sensitive side to his demeanor. His
rough exterior kept that part hidden until one proved worthy enough
for its exposure.
Ever since that day in biology class, he nicknamed me "ma", never
again calling me by my real name. We would argue about any and
everything even when there was no point as to who was right or wrong.
I became an easy target for him to pick on, as he gradually learned
how to pull my strings. My yelling at him made him laugh and only made
me more angry. And that's how our relationship began.
Then somewhere along the line, we began talking, not yelling at each
other. Suddenly our conversations didn't consist of jokes aimed at me,
but of kind words, always lifting my spirits. That year in class, a
friendship blossomed, but how we progressed to that from my despising
him is still a mystery to me. As he graduated that year, I watched him
walk across the stage with a tear in my eye. A friendship that had
just begun I feared was suddenly at its end. Of course, I was wrong
to assume such a crazy notion.
That summer, I became very active in walking every day. As his house
was one of the many I passed, he would wait outside for me to walk by.
Stopping to talk became one of the highlights of my day. He always had
a way of making me feel special. And I had a way of breaking through
his rough exterior to expose how sweet and gentle he really was.
We became close that summer, so close that when the fall approached
and he went off to dorm at college, we kept in touch by writing
letters and talking on the telephone. The sound of his voice made
everything seem okay. I remember him helping me with my Show Don't
Tells, a weekly English assignment. He was so proud of the many A's
I received because of his masterful hints.
I would always look forward to the summer where we could go for walks
or meet up somewhere to talk, each time parting with a goodbye hug. He
treated me like a queen and made me feel beautiful when I needed it
the most. That summer I also began dating a fellow man he graduated
with. He was as protective as my big brother was, telling me to be
careful and not to rush into things. I graciously took his advice.
A year later, what I knew was inevitable happened. He joined the Navy.
His dream had always been to become a Navy Seal and I knew he would
eventually make it his career. That meant that I was rarely, if ever,
going to see him again. With promises to write, he left for Florida
and eventually for Japan. In Florida, we exchanged letters regularly.
He seemed very lonely at times and I would write and try to lift his
spirts as best as I could. After he was shipped to Japan, his
responses became less frequent.
Years later, he brought home a Japanese woman and they married. I had
the pleasure of attending that wedding. I saw him for an hour, if that
long, wearing a smile I had never seen on him before. I was truly
excited for him and his new bride. That day, he glowed with the
happiness I had always wished for him. It was the last time I saw
him. I received few letters from him after that. He told me he was
going to be a dad and then suddenly there was silence. That was over
two years ago.
I've written him several times with no response. Often I find myself
wondering what happened. I'll skim through the letters he wrote me,
his kind words, "You'll always be one of my best friends," and "No
matter what, I'll keep writing to you," making me question what
changed his mind.
We share the same birthday. As it approaches each year, it is
especially hard not to think about him. I thought we would be friends
no matter what. But I can't help wondering if I'm the only one who
reminisces of a time where I met a friend that I'll never forget. I
do, though, feel blessed that I have the memories of him. And I'll
never stop hoping that someday he'll pick up the phone and call or
pick up a pen and write. Maybe by me writing this story, somehow my
message will get to him. The power of friendship is so very strong;
I only hope he can feel it all the way in Japan....
Lynn Lombard
ddlandlml@gateway.net
Send Lynn an email and let her know what you thought of her story!
A little bit about Lynn:
Lynn is 24 years old and lives in Akron, New York with her husband,
Douglas. She is a writer and a legal administrative assistant. She
wrote "A Friendship That Never Ends," a story about her high school
coach, which ran in Straight From the Heart this past month. Lynn
has also been published with Blue Mountain Arts, The Buffalo News,
True Love, True Romance, The Rose & Thorn Literary E-Zine and most
recently with Heartwarmers4U.
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Thought For The Day:
"The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will
outlast it."
Verse for the Day:
"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust
do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
Matthew 6:20
Kid's Thought For The Day:
Don't say, "the last one there is a rotten egg", unless you're
absolutely sure there's a slow kid behind you.
Parent's Thought For The Day
"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged
of man."
(Tagore)
Coach's Thought For The Day
"On the day of victory, no fatigue is felt."
Deep Thought For The Day:
"Usually I try to take it one day at a time, but lately
several have attacked me at once!"
REQUEST:
From: cjhandgarth@yahoo.com (Crystal Hughes)
Hello Mr. Powers,
It's me again. Crystal. I would like everyone
to pray for my 2nd cousin Dustin. He's 5 and he has
surgery May 8, 2000 for an umbilical hernia he's had
since birth. His parents Aaron and Mykendra wanted
him on every prayer list possible. It's a fairly
simple procedure, but all the prayers they can get
would sure be appreciated. Pray for all involved,
including the doctors performing the procedure.
Thanks alot, Crystal WV
_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com http://members.aol.com/Thunder27/index.html
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \ Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
\_\/ of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
Video Imagery (Michael's Video Production Business)
"I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch the video
we gave them. They loved it, to say the least! Within thirty
seconds my mom was crying and my dad did too. They said it was
the best Christmas gift we could have given them!! You did such
a beautiful job! They were so suprised and so touched---they
really, really, really loved it. Thanks for helping to make it so
special to us all. My mom mentioned how the songs were perfect for
the video too! Thanks again!"
Kelli (RKaGe@aol.com) College Station, TX
Let me make you a video from your pictures or home movies!
Check out the web page for Michael's video production business!
Video Imagery
http://members.aol.com/Videoimg/index.html