She, Me, We

To look at us, you would see no common ground. She is tall, I am small. She is young, I am old. She is black, I am white. It has been four years now that we have shared our office space and our lives.

When I first met her, I was a bit intimidated. She is very strong and firm in her beliefs and proud of her culture. Unlike myself. I will not discuss religion or politics, and am quite secretive about my families beginnings and traditions.

Sharing a small space day in and day out leads to intimacy. We tell stories, new and old, funny and sad, and marvel at our similarities. Stories of family, men, betrayals, dreams, children, travels, experiences. Stories of life.

She has much more faith than I do, she believes her body and spirit need to be nourished, she believes in a higher power. I find her inspirational. I am the older one, she calls me "wise" but I still don't know what I believe in.

I do believe friendship is a gift. I do believe that people come and go from our lives for a reason. Whether this women is here to teach, comfort, or guide me. I love the way she says things and the way she thinks. We make each other laugh as the days pass. Some days she calls me foolish, some days I call her the fool.

She is my friend. Forever.