once upon a time

there was a woman

(who was me)

whose hair

had a life of its own

and she

had made plans

with 3 of her very dearest friends

for a long memorial day weekend getaway

to nashville

but then

she got

really sick

and her hair

was wilder than ever

a sure sign

of

something

amiss

and

she

had to tell them

to go on without her

but they said

there is no way

we will do that

and so

they each offered up

their support

and found a solution

in their very own way

mare #1

said

‘i will drive you all the way there.

you can sleep in the car and listen to music.

you won’t have to fly and hurt your ears and suffer any more.’

mare#2

said

‘i will provide you with any medication

and comforting therapy

you might need.’

mare #3

said

‘come with us

and we will

tuck you in

and

bring you soup

and

hot water bottles

and

tea

and

whiskey

and

magazines.’

and goldilocks

was so moved

by their gestures

and their compassion

that she went to the doctor

and he gave her mega antibiotics

and got on the plane

and went on the trip

anyway

and

danced

and

sang

and

ate southern bbq

and drank a whiskey

and listened to the blues

in a beautiful park

and had a wonderful time

with each and every one of them

and they all continue to live happily ever after

as friends for life

—

a day for toil, an hour for sport, but for a friend is life too short.
 – ralph waldo emerson

 

image credits: stickygooeycreamychooey.com, redcanyonart – carol walker