To Those Who Got Close

Devotee's of Wicked know this as lyrics to the final duet between Glinda and Elphaba, "For Good". As a song, it is a powerful piece of music, beautifully done, on CD by Kristin Chenowith and Idina Menzel, but the lyrics make a great poem, too, which pretty much says how I feel towards those people who I've had the chance to know over the years.

"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?
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've learned from you.
You'll be with me, like a handprint on my heart,
And now, whichever ways our stories end
I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend.

Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea,
Like a seed dropped by a bird in a distant wood,
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
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've blamed me 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?
Because I knew you, I have been changed
For good."

The list of those to whom this is intended is long. My family certainly, though I get the chance to see them pretty regularly, and tell them of my love for them. The rest of you, have indeed placed your handprint on my heart. Looking back, there were many friends, shipmates, teachers, classmates, coleagues, and students who taught me lessons I've needed to learn, it would be impossible for me to name them all. But a few were special enough to warrant recognition.

Like Mr. Bill. William Frank Case, Bill to his friends, is my oldest friend. Not that he's old, we've just known each other since two days before forever. Actually, 45 years this August. We met in line, waiting for physicals for football. Something clicked, and we've been friends ever since. Billy was always one of the first people I tried to make contact with whenever I came back to Vacaville during my Navy days. Billy learned to play golf about 20 years ago, and we play together almost every Satuday. Not everyone has a friend for 45 years anymore.

Larry Watters, you're one of those "special few". I learned a lot from you. I learned of the Pacific Crest Trail from you, and got to see some incredible sights going camping with you. I used to like camping, but grew to enjoy it a whole lot more because of you. I look back on those trips with great fondness. If we both weren't "paying the price of youth," it'd be great to do it (go camping, that is) "one more time," but I know that's probably impossible. Mary and I do a little traveling, though we haven't camped since we moved back from Spokane, but we get out. When we do, I always think of a white VW bus with an orange tabby streched out across the dash. Can't help it.