It's hard to lose a friend
I'm not oblivious—I know life is ephemeral. Still, I take for granted just how transitory it can be. The places we go, the things we do, and the people we see can change suddenly and irrevocably.
It can be sad to leave behind a place you once called "home." It can be sad to leave a job that once brought you happiness. Most of all, it can be sad to say goodbye to a friend.
There's little that brings more joy that the right person. A good conversation, a long walk, a bit of empathy, and before you know it you're making trips across the country to see each other.
And yet, things change. There's nothing we can do about it.
There's nothing we can do about it, but we do have a choice. We can grapple with the forces of the universe (which tend to prevail) or we can ride the wave.
We can cherish the present and be thankful for the people that make us smile. We can make the most of every last second. When things run their course, we can say confidently "I had fun."
We are the sum of our experiences. In that sense, the people we care about follow us wherever we go.