Missing AND Remembering Great Friends

This morning, after an unplanned 20-mile run on Saturday and a very much planned 56-mile ride yesterday, my legs were simply "not feeling the love" of high intensity exercise.  So, I grabbed the iPod and headed out for an extremely unusual WALK.  Yes, I walked my 5-mile run route and I must say I enjoyed it.

This particular morning I was bemoaning the fact that I had not talked with several of my dearest friends recently, or even in months.  I am very much to blame as I am sure that my schedule and involvement in "everything" just is not conducive to in-depth relationships unless we can run, ride, swim, or eat together.  Wow.  What a horrible friend I must be in the end...  Anyway, I was thinking of Michelle B., Nancy, Ana, and Darcey, Chuck D., Audra, Laura, Stann, Robin, Karen, Richard H. (yes, Richard), and Mac, just to name a "few."  The last time I had a "Heart-to-Heart" with Mac, I heard "For Good" one of my all time favorite songs from the Wicked soundtrack.  It is sort of like being pushed over when Mac and this song show up together.  This morning was no different, and I was glad to be walking and not cruising up Highway 319 at 20 m.p.h.  And, even though I  have posted these lyrics before, I never cease to be amazed at the lesson(s) they teach me each and every time I hear them. Today's lesson was to not give up on friends or forget them simply because you don't cross paths every day.  Do your (my) share to keep the friendship glowing and positive, and try to not let life get too much in the way of what is really important.  With that said, below are the lyrics in case you haven't heard the song, and an explanation of what is going on in the song follows.

I miss you my friends.  I hope to see you and share honest time with you soon.

I'm limited
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you -
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you.
For both of us - now it's up to you.

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the Better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for Good...

It may well be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a hand-print on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the Better?
But because I knew you ...

Because I knew you...

I have been changed for Good...

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame for

But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

And none of it seems to matter anymore

Who can say if I've been changed for the Better?
I do believe I have been changed for the Better.

Because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for GOOD

One of my favorite songs from the Wicked: A New Musical soundtrack is "For Good." Elphaba (Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (Good Witch of the North) are about to part ways after having been thrown together as roommates in "college" and discovering that they could actually be friends. The lyrics are magical and sentimental and bring tears to my eyes every time I hear them.