A True Friend Is A Gift to be Treasured
In response to Dancing Elephant’s prompt 45 of 52: “Friendship”
We met when I filled out an application to adopt a husky. You arrived at my condo for a home visit. Was I a suitable candidate to own a Siberian Husky? At first, you hesitated to give approval. There was no fenced yard. Would the dog receive enough exercise? Siberians are full of energy and tend to be escape artists.
I convinced you that I would be a worthy owner. I showed you pictures of other huskies I had owned. I was a runner, cyclist, and avid hiker. As we talked there was a mutual desire of “I want to know you better.”
You were a seasonal forest ranger who knew the Cascade Mountains. You fostered huskies who needed a permanent home. You were also a mountaineer. We had so much in common. We exchanged phone numbers to arrange future hikes together.
I was contacted for a trial weekend with the dog I wanted.
For the next five years, our friendship mushroomed. We enjoyed many hikes into the mountains with our huskies, Chan Teh and Tiru. You introduced me to the Cascades as no one else could. You were like a sister to me.
I helped you lay a Pergo floor in your cabin. You invited me to go dog sledding with your team. Chan Teh learned the commands running beside your sled so we could skijor together. We camped with our huskies in some beautiful and remote wilderness areas.
When I sold everything and was homeless until my RV arrived, you offered me a place to stay. That was during one of the harshest winter seasons. Chan Teh loved romping with your dogs in the snow. We shoveled snow off the rooftops of your cabin and outbuildings. We cleared your driveway again and again.
You envied my motorhome trip across the country in 2007. We stayed in touch after I resettled in the Midwest near my daughter. I did drive west to see old acquaintances in Chelan in 2010. It was to say a final farewell to the mountainous area I love.
We took a last hike together with our dogs. The wilderness was carpeted with colorful wildflowers everywhere. The distant mountain range still had patches of snow. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven. The day was that spectacular. We hugged fiercely when I left for home. We both knew we might not see one another again in person.
We keep in touch via Facebook now. You tantalize me with pictures of hiking with dogs and showing the snow you receive. When here in Iowa we hardly receive enough snow to ski or snowshoe anymore. I’m happy for you. You’re enjoying your retirement.
I know that if we do meet again, it’ll seem like we haven’t been separated by miles or years. My photo albums keep our adventures together alive. I am blessed to call you my friend.
Thank you Dr. Preeti Singh for the opportunity to relive my friendship with Gail.
Thank you to the DEP editors Dr. Gabriella Korosi, Dr. Preeti Singh, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, and Annelise Lords for inspiring prompts to tease our brains.
Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles writes an inspiring piece on her search for spirituality & where to find it.
