By By Robbie Byrd, News Editor
A friend of mine n my best friend, actually n called me just a week or so ago with some startling news: he is moving away.
We had always been really close: we didn't have many of the same classes in college, but we were always hanging out together. He was like a brother to me. And I said when I left school that I would always call or write.
And of course I never did.
I've moved around a pretty good deal in my life. I wasn't an army bratt, so I didn't jump from country to country or anything, but mostly just county to county.
And I've made lots of friends, some close ones, too, and watched them out of the rear-view window, thinking that even though we had just sworn to one another we would call, write and just generally stay in touch, we never would.
So, It's been a few weeks, and of course I haven't heard from my friend.
Figures as much.
But what I can't get over is the things that people will say to one another, even though they know it isn't true, but just because it makes them feel a little better at that particular moment.
And even though sometimes we do really mean to follow through with our promises, it's easy to get caught up in your day
Their is only one person in the world that I call everyday, and that's because I said I always would.
I usually get her answering machine, or a quick "Hey, listen I gotta run," but I call nonetheless, just to hear her voice and make sure she's ok.
After she moved away to Birmingham, it's just been tough finding the time to go and visit. Besides, Birmingham is a long drive.
I often say I don't think I've ever been in love. I think I'm wrong.
Maybe I was in love once. For some of the best and worst years of my life, she was my world and I hers. I think I loved her.
You know, I should have been content, fulfilled, and generally happy to have been with her, but sometimes I felt like I wasn't.
Sometimes I just regret every second I ever wasted in her presence. Other times I don't think that she was worth my time.
But, she was my first love.
My mind says that love is weakness. My heart says it's my only real strength.
But that love that I had for only a short while I still hold on to, even to this very day.
AT&T is ready to beat down my door because of my bill each month, but I don't care. I call, nonethless.
And every once and awhile I drive to Birmingham and show up at her door. Nine times out of ten she's not there. The other one time she has friends over or her parents are down for a visit.
But, then again, I still try.
And I think I've figured out why: we all know it's easier to make empty promises and not follow through than to make them and get hurt in the process.
It's a funny thing, huh?
Well, I have a phone call to make. While she might not care, it makes me feel a whole lot better that I tried.
Robbie Byrd is News Editor of The Atmore Advance. He can be reached via telephone at 368-2123 or email robbie.byrd@atmoreadvance.com