Once upon a time, there was a girl who had many friends. So many that she couldn’t count them on two hands and two feet. She was bright and funny and liked to listen to the things others said. She never knew what drew them to her, and she didn’t really care – she genuinely liked everyone she met.
The girl sailed through her high school and college years, surrounded by a bubbling throng of people she adored and who adored her in return. She never lacked for company and as such, her fondest times were when she was alone.
As we all do, the girl grew up, learned all she could and set off into the wide world. Like a dandelion puffed by a breeze, she and her friends all drifted away on the currents of the wind to see what the world had in store.
She drifted along, soaring high at times and sinking deeply at others. She went here, she went there, and everywhere she had her other drifting friends. Not as close or numerous as in the glorious days of growing up, but there nonetheless, sharing the winds of fate.
The girl grew older. She loved and she lost, and it hurt her. At times, she felt so heavy inside she couldn’t float along as before. She fell to the solid earth. She kept to herself more as time passed, watching the lives of her friends and offering encouragement as they lived, got jobs, got married, had pets and babies. She was so happy for them, glad to watch, but kept apart from them. She had sadness in her and couldn’t join the whirling throngs in the dance of life. She loved, she watched, and she kept apart.
One day, she realized she was alone. She never meant to be so. She loved those around her very much. Over time, however, they had floated out of her reach. Try as she might, and as far as she stretched her arms, she couldn’t pull them close again. They waved to her from their skybound heights and sent love and floated on.
The years passed. Earthbound, she watched those in the air. She smiled, she reminisced and she lived on.
