LOSING FRIENDS

Recently I have spoken with friends far away. We speak infrequently, but I miss them always.

Friends are like jelly - you don't realize how much they sweeten your life until you eat a peanut butter sandwich. So cherish the sweet moments with your friends while you have them near.

I lost friends when I was very young. I can still picture their faces and remember happenings that keep them in my mind.

I attended a Catholic School in the inner city, and lived in an 'ethnic neighborhood'. I knew there were divisions because I was not allowed past a certain block, but I had no idea why! I had been to 'little Italy' with my mom and dad, and previously lived in 'little Poland' when I was three. They were all just 'words' to me.

We wore uniforms to school - navy blue pleated wool skirts and stiffly starched white 'middy' blouses with a navy blue ribbon tie. Also included was navy blue 'beanie '.
My beanie ended up on the trolley tracks more than once because the barber's son thought that was funny. He was my friend. We played superman, through the rows of white marble steps in front of each row home, running between, jumping onto the step, and pretending to fly to the ground. He wore a cape.

Then one day he wasn't there any more. The barber shop was closed, and no one was allowed near it. Mom said he moved. Later, I heard her with a neighbor saying how terrible it was.
I'm not sure of the exact happening, but it was a crime (either a murder or attempted murder involving an axe). I never saw my friend 'superman' again. I missed him.

Hey, 'superman', I remember your real name. If you're out there reading this and know it's you - how about leaving a comment or an e-mail at: 2maketheworldhappier@gmail.com