I’ve started off the year, resolutions in mind, with an exciting twist in my routine. I spent New Years Eve with my Best Friend since second grade, Derrick, and had a good time watching all the drunk and sober Trinis dancing in his living room… with him. People watching is a spectator sport. His cousins and friends played with fire crackers in front of the house, almost causing their young hands to explode from all the excitement. And explosions. A good time was had by all. It has been over a year since Derrick and I have hung out and I’m glad to see him laugh with me the way it was when were on the basketball courts in the 5th grade. I look forward to our next outing.
One week later I am fortunate enough to spend the day with a friend in mourning. I attended the memorial service of Geoffrey’s father on Saturday, hoping to be there for him. I whisk through traffic, relying on a half-printed page of directions to the church for my guide and I find myself stuck in the horrid traffic of Hialeah. I immediately remember why I avoid that part of town on a daily, nay, hourly basis. Frustrated, I find myself screaming in the car with my windows up, nearly cursing at the stupidity of my surrounding drivers. I pray forgiveness on their behalf and my own as I approach the church. My heart isn’t right entering this service and I pray once more. I step into the sanctuary, hoping not to have missed Geoffrey’s words, but alas I am about 20 minutes too late. I sit down and hear the pastor describe what a wonderful man Geoffrey Senior was, how he devoted his life to his craft, his family, his God, his church. I am instantly moved.
After the service, Geoffrey and I head out to his place and he shows me his amazing collection of music, movies, and posters. We head out and have lunch at Moe’s, spend some chilling time at Borders, play a few rounds of billiards with Geoff’s friends at the local poolhall and laugh at how aweful we both are. All the games end by one of us scratching on the eight ball, mostly me. We wrap up the night by heading to Subrageous for a brownie and spilled O.J. It’s been a long, emotional, fun day and it’s time to depart. We hug and as I leave, listening to the new Thrice album, I am glad to have spent the day with another old friend. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. My thoughts and prayers are with Geoffrey and his family. We are never alone, brother.
The next day brings the company of another old friend, this one from middle school. I hear that my dear friend Natasha is in town and we arrange to meet up for the first time in about 7 years. Excited to hear that she’s staying not too far from my area, I drive out to pick her up, only to discover that she lives a bit farther than expected. That doesn’t matter. I’d drive a thousand miles to see Tasha again. Back in our Norland days Tasha made me blush and smile on command. All it took was a smile. She’s one of those friends that I never had a disagreement or dull moment with. We had homeroom together and our mornings were always filled with laughter. I drive up to her apartment and I am stunned at how lovely she still looks. Naturally we hug and we head east to Aventura, laughing and catching up some more. We spend the next hour sipping our Frappucinos and making fun of our cities, families, and experiences. We then head out to a nearby mall and head towards the Barnes and Noble, killing another hour or so checking out design magazines, murder mystery novels, Jamaican love stories, and deciding which to take with us. She settles for the Jamaican one because the main character has an afro. Haha. I leave empty handed. A college budget is a painful one. I drive her back home, jamming to Gold Digger and Mute Math. The best of both worlds. We hug and she departs once again. We know we’ll hang out again in a few months and I look forward to it with joy.
God has provided some amazing friendships in my lifetime, some that have sparked instantly and others that have grown into wonderful relationships over time. I’m thankful daily for them and their kindness. I pray that the love of Christ is shines through them and that we can continue be there for each other through the good times and the hard. With true friends there are never bad times.
