today i talked to a boy that has decided to dedicate the next 6 years of his life to the service of this great country, and a girl that is learning how to teach 10 year olds how to read and write. and a boy that is building bridges, and designing houses. and another girl that wants to be a biochemist. and a boy that knows he will be an electrician, just like his father. and another girl that wants to possibly teach math.

all of them preparing for their futures.

...and all going down completely different paths. one overseas, one to the classroom, one to an office, one a laboratory, another a workshop, and another still unsure. and i wonder in 6 years will they all still be friends? will they all still be able to laugh, and smile, and joke around, and enjoy each others company as they do now? will time make memories fade, and friendships along with them? will the phone calls and emails and saturday nights end after this summer, after next summer? after next year? or will it last forever? as i like to believe all good things do...

will they all end up in the places they are heading towards right now? will they be married?

and where will i be in all this? because right now, i dont like to think about life without these people... not one little bit. but will i feel the same in the future. or will distance and time wither our wonderful bonds?

i sure hope not, because they mean the world to me. really, all of you do. and i hope you dont need to read this to know it.

its coming, closer and closer, june 3rd 2005. a date that i am both excitedly awaiting, and silently dreading at the same time...