I hate cliché metaphors

I hate cliché metaphors. But right now this one is fitting. You never know what you had until it's gone. And before I start, I realize that he is not gone for good. But who knows the next time I see him.

My first friend in Florence, my mentor, my crutch, has left for basic training in the air force. I don't really know for sure how long he will be gone, or what he is doing after, but I know it will be a really long time before I see him again. When he first informed me he was leaving, it didn't really hit me. It actually didn't hit me until he left. A little late for that. Thanks a lot, feelings.

He was the first person to actually talk to me when I moved here. We started hanging out, and just never stopped. We would stay up late, play poker, and sit out on the porch for hours and just talk about life. For an entire semester, we literally played poker every single night. But I never got sick of it. It never got old. That same semester, my girlfriend broke up with me. I was living by myself, but it didn't feel like it. Jimmy was there almost 24/7. He was great at making me completely forget about everything going on and just have fun. I knew, and still know, that anytime I needed him, I could call him and he would be there. He was my seat partner on the bus for 3 years, and marched right next to me.

Jimmy taught me more than anyone else alive right now. The biggest thing he taught me was how to grow up, but still be immature and have fun. He taught me the right times to do both. He taught me how to figure things out on my own rather than ask questions all the time. He taught me how to love playing drums rather than just play them for fun. Without him, I don't know where I would be in life right now. Probably trying to find someone else to lean on and get me through life. But he was there when he knew I needed him. And he let me do things on my own when he knew I could. He taught me how to lead. He taught me how to take whatever is thrown at you and make the best of it. He taught me how to trust. He taught me how to be a friend.

But I never had a chance to thank him for any of that. Because I didn't really put it into perspective until now. Even if I did, he would shrug it off like it was nothing. Because Jimmy never looked to glorify himself, just to help me grow. But I hope he somehow gets on a computer and reads this sometime. Because for some reason, I express my feelings in a blog that anyone can read better than I would in person.

I guess the main thing I'm trying to say is that I knew Jimmy was a great friend. I just never realized how much he has shown me until now. I pray that we don't part ways and stop talking. Hold on to the friends you have now. You never know when you won't have them in your life anymore.