My best friend is like a sunset over the Catalina Mountains. He’s changeable in that sometimes he is brilliantly alive sending out rays of warmth–hot pink, scarlet, orange. Other times he sits with me casting a muted mood of soft purple, or pale gray. He can mirror my mood and affirm who I am. He is a buffer on dark days blanketing me with peace. He is the surprise of laughing aloud when he reads something funny like the sun that bursts suddenly through clouds after a monsoon.
He is open and wide like the Tucson sky in his attention, caring and love. This friend is generous in sharing all this with me, and then equally with my sister, our friends, and even the tiny older woman reaching for a package at Ace.
Regardless of what goes on during the morning or afternoon, he is consistent. He rises and sets with me each day, and has done so for twenty-six years. He is my sweetheart, husband, and best friend.
Describe your best friend.
What a beautiful and loving tribute to Hank. Surely he basks in the sunshine of your love and devotion. I have had many best friends in my life. I had a high school best friend, a college best friend, a maid of honor and women who have shared their lives with me after I married and started a family. My husband is not my best friend. Now, I write this not to be cruel or insensitive, but the fact is I did not want to burden my mate with BFF status. Just the everyday negotiations of working, raising a family and growing our relationship is hard enough. Adding BFF status on him would not be fair, so, I have taken BFF off the table and found my own BFFs. The most significant BFF in my life is Patti. I met her when I first moved to Phoenix. Attending a school site council meeting, I spied her waiting in the aisle to make a presentation. Dressed in a creamy yellow pantsuit with hair the color of spun honey, she radiated confidence and enthusiasm. I decided in that instant I wanted to meet her. Her easy laughter and warmth is a magnet and her positive spirit is a balm to my soul. We share so many common interests – reading, art, education, politics, and we share secrets and a bond that does not break even under the most difficult of circumstances. My mother once had a friendship like the one I share with Patti and when her friend died, the void remained for a long time. She could not share her secrets with my father because that was not the nature of their relationship. When the day dawns and Patti is no longer in my life, I will mourn her passing and bravely face each day knowing I had the rare privilege of having her and her love in my life.
What a wonderful “comment.” The image of Patti is clearly in my mind. I don’t know her- but I want to meet her. I want to be like her. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt thoughts. Your words are touching and beautiful.
My best friend helped me come out of the closet. He is bouncy and always cheerful. I nicknamed him Tiggy because he reminds me of T-I-double Guh-er. He loves his dog as much as I love my cat. We are soul mates, and I am blessed that the Universe helped us connect during the most challenging period of our lives.
Serena, Thank you for sharing about your best friend. I often pray that everyone finds at least one special person that encourages and supports them. Bouncy and cheerful would be a definite plus.
Ethel