O' how I wish you weren't so far away --
how much I'd like to spend
the day, together as we did
all those years ago.

Inseparable, we'd shop or see a show.
So many years, my life-long friend,
we'd celebrate a birthday,
a holiday, or just any day.

We shared our teens, then raising kids,
we'll always be together, as we were from the start,
although, now we live so far apart,
our memories are there
in pictures and our hearts,
we'll cherish all the good parts,
learning from the bad,
but don't be sad.

I'll not miss your birthday today,
but, I am missing you.
One day I may get writer's cramp,
but, my most precious possessions --
my pen, pretty paper, and a postage stamp
are my tangible link, in lieu
of a five hour lunch date and timeless chatting sessions.
A box of memories is all I can now send,
when I would rather spend
our days on a road trip to the beach,
or fishing in a mountain stream,
though, we are out of reach,
I close my eyes
then, you aren't as far as it all seems.

In our lifetime, there are no good-byes.
Open the box --
inside, you'll find two girls in pajamas and socks,
having a sleepover, laughing about boys,
fretting about families and choosing children's toys,

tissues for tears, memories from years
gone by.
Eclipsed by our friendship, Denali's not so high,
Multnomah Falls is just a stream,
we've travelled roads that begin with I
and chased our distant dreams.

Too many to name,
the memories we share --
fun times at a hockey game,
dressing up for Halloween,
the magic of a Christmas night,
and all things in between.

We've shared love, and loss, and life,
preexist the titles of mom and wife,
define the role of aunt for all the girls and boy,
and, what a joy!

Check the mail, my friend,
the postage stamp promised to get it there -
this box full of timeless memories we share
until the end.

I'll wish upon a star tonight,
entreat the Beaver moon,
and shed some happy tears --
we'll be together soon.