"Hi Kid, it's been a long time, too long..." 

     I read and reread your email several times replaying our time together before your unplanned absence. My life without you has been boring and repetitive. Nothing excites me like being with you. I need you and agree to meet you on a bench at the park.

     When I arrive, you are already sitting on the bench just watching people come and go out of the bank across the street. You look comfortable, and good. I sit down next to you. Helplessly, I confess, "I've missed you. You look really good." 

     "Yeah," you reply with a smirk, "I've been working out. Missed you too." I smile and feel okay, as if we never had seven years apart. The adrenaline courses through my body just being near you. You lean over and whisper in my ear, "We're gonna rob that bank."

     You're different. People will notice. Then, those people will say mean things about you, and maybe even discriminate against you; because, you're different. That sucks, and it shouldn't happen. But, it does. Life is hard. Life is harder when you are different. Then again... Aren't we all different? And, the same? Aren't problems and issues all relative? For instance, it is really hard to find a good rental home when you own a dog. Sure, I could get rid of my dog, and that course of action may work for others, but not for me. Additionally, there are people out there that will attempt to belittle my problem because it is not important to them. I don't really know what other people are thinking, but they make me feel like they are negatively judging me for not conforming and that I made my life harder by choice. It sucks. But I know that there are people out there with similar problems to me. I know that there are people out there that could help me. I know that there are people that I could help. Some times talking helps, sometimes more action is needed. I prefer living in a dog-friendly neighborhood, but I will live anywhere that I can have my dog--because that is what really matters to me. I still associate with cat-people, bird-people, horse-people, fish-people, mice-people, people-people, etc. because we are different, and the same. 

We both have regrets.

We're not the same any more

And we can't go back.

It's time that we closed this door

And hope another opens.

We're done, I'm sure.

Which is the world's greatest sport?

Why, that is bowling, of course;

Let me explain before your retort.

I hardly bowl, ergo I am an impartial source,

But I see validity in this pro-bowling argument

Because you cannot begrudge the atmosphere:

Indoors with various music and televisions galore,

Pub food and servers that'll bring you a burger and beer,

Computers that automatically calculate the score,

Chairs and tables for relaxing when it's not your turn,

No referees, or time outs needed for bathroom breaks,

No special diets required, and any age can play, it's easy to learn,

Just bowl a ball down an alley and hit ten pins, that's all it takes,

You can play by yourself, against opponents, and/or with teams,

Injuries are negligible, and as long as you wear bowling shoes,

You can wear anything that you want, it seems,

You can play in a league, with reasonable dues,

The equipment is minimal and you can even rent it for cheap,

And if you are really good, you can play professional

With internationally televised championships, for those that take that leap,

And, if you have ever been bowling, you know that it's a social,

With room for several bowlers per lane, and more people beside you,

And still more people, behind the lines, watching, cheering, and doing their own thing,

It's worthwhile to play just for bragging rights, but you can play for money too;

I can go on forever, and then compare other sports, but they are all lacking.

It's just the greatest sport in the world--bowling!

The end was near and Death was slow, letting my beloved suffer;

And I wished that rather than a miracle that Death would just come sooner.

When Death finally arrived, It made the most dramatic entrance

Of loud beeps, screaming nurses, stoic doctors, and my beloved in a horrific dance.

When the music stopped they each patted my shoulder, and said, 

That Death had come and gone: but, It was still there by the hospital bed.

Death took its sweet time to remind me that I was mortal,

That It would come for me too; that love wasn't really eternal.

What really makes me happy

Is watching comedy,

Movies or TV,

Anything that's funny,

It doesn't matter-

I just want hours of laughter 

That I can share with another.

Don't love a cheater,

Or a constant rule-changer,

Or a cry-baby...

Don't love a poor sport,

Or someone that ignores you,

Or won't play for keeps...

The game's tough enough

To keep fun and exciting

Without that drama.

Words are not enough when you can't hold me:

Words are not enough when you make me cry.

Words are not enough to erase a lie:

Words are not enough when a heart is broken.

Words are not enough to convince me to stay:

Words are not enough to make a happy ending.

Selfish, indulgent narcissist

Seeking instant noteriety;

Spiraling into nothingness.

Pompous, relentless, insurmountable, demanding ego

Grabbing riches enthusiastically every day;

Lecherously underestimating sexual transgressions;

Envisioning neighbors versus you;

Grabbing lots under the thinking of never yearning;

Wretched rage and torturous hate

Showing laziness of the heart.

Seek inwardly, noting

Seven incorrigible natures;

Salvation is nonexistent.