Best friend for life

Yesterday Patricija and I had a girls’ half-day. We went to the hair salon and grabbed a donut each…

“Mom,” she says, “did you hear? They even offered me tea!” Pa chatters, thrilled that she was treated like a “grown-up.”

“Maybe the hairdresser thought we were friends?”
I nod in agreement—“could be.”

On the way home, Pa beams:
“MOM,” she says, “WE’RE LIKE TRUE BEST FRIENDS FOR LIFE! We’ll never be apart!”

I smile and squeeze her little hand:
“And when I’m no longer here, maybe you’ll have another best friend for life.”

Patricija looks up, surprised:
“Where will you be?”

I explain that there’s a 30-year difference between us, and even with the best intentions, I won’t be able to live exactly as long as she will.
At first, her face clouds over, and she shakes her head—she doesn’t want any other best friend for life.

“Maybe you’ll have a daughter who will take over my ‘best friend’ role, and you’ll go to the hair salon together, like we do now.”

“And grab a donut!” Pa shouts.
The corners of her lips, which had dropped a little, lift back up again.

And my heart tightens with that little pinch of “how everything is temporary.”
It only eases when I let in the thought
that we need to enjoy EVERYTHING
right now.

Hug your
best friends for life.

Mua,
V.