You touched me with this one as I've reached the age where I've started losing friends in a far sadder way than simply being transferred to a new duty station or starting a new job on the other side of town. I never thought about how much tougher it was going to be when the good-byes toward a new life became real good-bye forever. I'm thinking about it now.

Rebecca

Love this, Ron. It touched my heart.

WELL...(AGAIN, SMILE)...TO BE VERY HONEST, NEVER HAD A LOT OF FRIENDS BUT HAD A SLEW OF ACQUAINTANCES. NOW WHERE DID ALL OF THEM GO...? JUST LIKE YOU SAID, MOVED ON IN ONE WAY ANOTHER AND HERE I AM WITH THE 'ONE' THAT NEVER LEFT, WHOM I IGNORED FOR YEARS BUT WHO WAS STILL ALWAYS THERE FOR ME AND WILL ALWAYS BE. MY MOMMA USED TO SAY, "YOU ARE BLESSED IN THIS LIFE IF YOU FIND 'ONE' TRUE FRIEND...JUST 'ONE'". I AM TRULY BLESSED, FOR I HAVE FOUND THAT FRIEND, AND I DON'T THINK I HAVE TO TELL YOU WHO 'HE' IS(SMILE). AMEN. THANKS FOR THE SHARE, RON. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS.

I consider you a good friend, Ron. Hooray for AuthorsDen!

A thought provoking song for sure. I have moved around so much I feel like a tumbleweed. Reminds me of the song, In My Life by the Beatles.

PS

Friends may come and friends may go. I had a few whom I thought were "real" friends, but when disaster struck and I had the covid and pneumonia they were not there for me. That was quite disappointing because I had always thought I could count on them for being my friends.

In life, we only need one or two good friends. Good friends give good advice that is not sugarcoated. I may not like some of your writings, but I consider you my friend. That is why I am still here.

Sandie

I can surely relate to the theme born from your song, Ron. Tears come as I "connect" with so many gone. Your words remind me to be very grateful for every moment granted to me. Love, peace, and my best wishes,

Regis (Reg) 🙏😎🦋🐬🐦

This poem makes me want to hear what music you are matching (or making in your heart) to go with this. Creating songs is an art, even if never sung aloud. My favorite lines are: “cried when they left and were gone/thoughts of them came tumbling down” — that’s what thoughts do, they tumble, what a great word to choose. Also “and old friends lost their appeal,” which is an apt expression for people changing. Then…reading your comment was valuable, that expression of how you follow certain writers in the Den because you like and want to read everything they write; and that censorship is everybody’s enemy, and “she likes working with and for me, pay or not.” I will hold that beautiful reveal all day, Ron. Thank you for sharing that vision. ~~ djl

Dearest Ron,
I completely relate to this and my heart feels so deeply for you because deep inside your a good soul. I too profoundly have such an understanding as I am a caregiver and am not particularly close to anyone in my family, which leaves me alone quite often if hubby isn't around. However, I have my farm animals, all kinds of wondrous creation that is glorious, the sun, moon, Gaia earth, stars, occasional visits to neighbors. What we need is pure inspirational hope in these such at times very discouraging times. I think if we savor every second by second and see the extreme beautiful gift each second brings our possibilities are endless and we see with new eyes of understanding in the heart that our purpose is to be an inspiration, hope, light and love to others

While I follow very few here on AD, I have many followers who prove it by reading what I write. I'm pleased with that because they are fans. The few authors I follow are only because I like what they write and want to see everything they write, without having to discover it. But I've noticed cliques here on AD, and that's okay. But the site does have a certain freedom of expression I like and I hope it continues that way because censorship is everybody's enemy, especially writers.

Real friends? I have very few. And, only about one or two who would drop everything to help me in a time of need. I'm still on level terms with my family, within their rules. But I was independent from them 60 years ago, including my deceased parents, and will remain so.

I still welcome new friends, especially those who will stick with me to the end. About three months ago, a mature young woman started helping me for pay. Based on her performance so far, doing things that most housecleaners turn their noses up at, "I don't do windows," she seems willing to help me keep my house in order because she likes working with and for me, pay or not. A rare quality these days.

Ron

This one got to me, Ron.

Throughout my life had many acquaintances, few that I would really call 'real' friends.

I'll be 89 this month and the last of my 'real' friends ( still living (was0 in the Chicago area, passed away last month, and though we hadn't spoken in years...'Why?' Don't know why. However I knew Norman was there, and now he isn't and maybe it shouldn't matter, but it does.

Good poem, my friend

This one strikes a melancholy cord. Having travelled and lived abroad for much of my life, so many friends are gone, left behind, indeed in some cases forgotten. Such a thoughtful poem and so true.

Ron,
A beautiful piece of melancholy reflections and projections. Yes, all that it says is true and most likely to be a part of all of us who do such in-depth thinking and reflecting. The article was moving as well. Well done, Ron.

Friends come and go but only a few remain close along the years. We become so much more transparent as we get old, and sometimes we choose to let go when we finally know, nice one Ron, :)