Missing Anna

Scotty and I are in Chicago. We lived here a long time ago. I reach back into memories that I filed away so very many years ago.
We had a lot of friends here. They were hard to come by and it took a long time to win them over but once we did I thought we had made lasting lifetime bonds. I learned after awhile that people here do not plan to make lifetime bonds with transient people ... students and their families. Students come, they go, life goes on and circles of relation change their course.
I still miss some of them ... a lot.
One that made a lasting impression on me, the one that I would love to see, face to face at least one more time is sweet, sweet Anna.
I don't know if she is still living, if she is living, I have no idea where she might be. In an age where it is difficult to hide away and not be found, Anna has successfully slipped through my fingers. It seems that I will never again see my dear friend again.
I wonder if she thought we were as close as I did. There have been times when I thought my relationships were tighter than tight only to find out later that I was the one keeping the ropes tied between us. Just because I felt close to someone did not mean that we both felt the same. How sad it has made me when these truths has been revealed to me.

Anna and I could talk for hours. She was a mother of three, I only had one child. She was patient with my immaturity and insecurity as a mom. When I walked into her house I felt like I was home. She had a calm about her all the time regardless of the chaos that might erupt on her daily path. She was gentle and kind, peaceful and loving. She seemed so confident, so practical. I learned a ton from her. Hopefully some of her incredible virtue and wisdom was woven into the woman I was becoming.

My journey with Anna was short. Scotty and I moved away and Anna and I lost touch. But I remember so much about her. I will never forget her. She impacted me in so many ways that I cannot count them all.

I am in Chicago, but it doesn't feel like home. I am missing Anna.