The Longest Year

It's been a year now since my friend Cece moved to Colorado with her husband Sheldon and their 3 children.  The move wasn't sudden, but it felt like it came out of now where.  I knew that they needed to make a better life for themselves.  There was so much holding them back here in California.  Sheldon's family, actually, the evil sister in-law is the one I think drove them away, but I know, ultimately, it was there decision to make.  When they left, it felt like a piece of my heart had been ripped out, leaving a gaping hole in its place.  Cece was my best friend.  She knew me.  She understood me.  I could just be myself with her.  There was no need for facades, no desire to create disillusions.  We could sit quietly in a room, with her massaging my feet (her stress relief - and mine), or we could talk for hours.  It was natural with us.  It came easy.  Whether I saw her every day or once a week, it was though seconds never passed.  She was my spiritual rock, I was her voice of reason.  Our families were close, her kids were my kids, my kids were hers. That's how it was with us, simple, but beautiful none the less.  And then, one day in April, it all changed.  

Cece had prepared me the best she could, but I didn't want to believe it would really happen.  They were going to move to Colorado to start a new life.  One without reminders of life here, including me it seems.  I don't know what is happening with them.  Sheldon calls Rich's cell from time to time, but other than that, there has been no contact.  I get the feeling Cece needs that right now.  I can't put my finger on the reason exactly.  I try to understand, sometimes, I think I actually do.  But that doesn't stop the hurt.  I think about Cece almost everyday.  There is always something that conjures memories of my dear friend.  I have to believe, for my hearts sake, that this is just a phase.  That one day, she'll come back into my life.  And when she does, I know that a piece of my heart will be given back to me.  She will always be a part of me.