Will We Still Be Friends Forever?

I was swiveling around in my blue computer chair after a busy day, pondering on what i wanted to share with all those dear souls who give up a few minutes of their day to read my blog. Just then i heard the first few chords of Vitamin C’s Graduation Song as the song started playing on my bright red radio.

*And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives
Where we’re gonna be when we turn 25
I keep thinking times will never change
Keep on thinking things will always be the same
But when we leave this year, we won’t be coming back
No more hanging out cause we’re on a different track
And if you’ve got something that you need to say
You better say it right now cause you don’t have another day*

I smiled to myself hearing these lyrics, as this song always brings back so many of my treasured memories. It reminds me of all the friends i’ve had since as far back as i can remember. So many times my friends and i had sat around talking about what we were going to do when we grow up, and in what direction our lives would lead us. But, it was all just talk at that time and we never really imagined that we would grow up so fast. Over the years, there have been a few times of departing when it hit me that we were actually parting, going different ways, and that things were going to change as we were moving on in our own separate directions-just as two roads diverge in a yellow wood. At times like these, my friends and i would hug, cry, and bid farewell to each other, promising to keep in touch.

*Cause we’re moving on and we can’t slow down
These memories are playing like a film without sound
And I keep thinking of the night in June
I didn’t know much of love, but it came too soon
And there was me with you, and then it got real blue
Stay at home talking on the telephone and
We would get so excited, we’d get so scared
Laughing at ourselves thinking life’s not fair
And this is how it feels*

I decided to start typing just to pour out my feelings and describe how i feel, as my thoughts and memories were overflowing. What had happened to all the promises of keeping in touch? What had happened to all the friends that i was supposed to and intended to keep in touch with? I had had so many friends in high school, many whom i had spent hours with after school hours working on various assignments, from planning annual school events, to making decorations for Teacher’s Day. But what had happened to all those wonderful friendships? Over a period of time they had blossomed so beautifully, but now…? It takes two to keep up a friendship, and i have to admit that i have not been too faithful on my part.

*So if we get the big jobs and we make the big money
When we look back now, will our jokes still be funny?
Will we still remember everything we learned in school?
Still be trying to break every single rule?
Will little brainy Bobby be the stockbroker man?
Can Heather find a job that won’t interfere with her tan?
I keep, I keep on thinking that it’s not goodbye,
Keep on thinking it’s a time to fly,
And this is how it feels*

How the years have flown by and actually will continue flying. People will come and people will go, but what about our friendships? What about all the people that have made a significant impact on our lives somewhere along the way? Will we still remember them in the time to come? Friends are truly a gift from God, but how well do we treasure this gift that has been given to us ever so freely? Now, many of us are in college. Before we know it, we will be out in the working world, and how will our present friendships and relationships be at that point in time? Will we even remember our ‘best friend’ from college?

*Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?
Can we survive it out there? Can we make is somehow?
I guess I thought that this would never end
And suddenly it’s like we’re women and men,
Will the past be a shadow that will follow us round?
Will these memories fade when we leave this town?
I keep, I keep thinking that it’s not goodbye,
Keep on thinking it’s a time to fly*

So, what has happened to all our friends of the past? Have they become part of the past? What about our friends now? Will they still be our friends as we move on and as we go off to different parts of the world? And what about our friends to come? How will those friendships turn out? Vitamin C, in her song, throws out a wise question by asking, “Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?” Without realizing it, all our friendships throughout the years have in many ways influenced how we have developed into the person that we are today, and through this we have matured in many ways. Now, as we have reached a turning point in life where we are graduating and going our own ways, it is important that we do not let our memories of the past fade, and that we don’t forget all our past friendships. Our lives will change as time goes by, but we should always remember our friends, every single person that we have met along the road as we travel the journey of life.

*As we go on, we remember
All the times we had together
And as our lives change, from whatever
We will still be friends forever.*

Dedicated to all those people who i have met somewhere along the way. To those who made it for the reunion today, well, it was wonderful to see you all after two long years. Thank you for coming!!!