Art in Friendship

 When I initially read this blog’s prompt, I immediately disliked it. I couldn’t think of anything to write about that wasn’t cliche. The intersection of art and science, or art and music, seemed so overdone. Now while art as friendship is no doubt also highly cliche, I’m glad that thought of this idea organically.

This afternoon, as my friends came over simply to hang out, I felt a huge wave of love envelop me. If art is just expressing emotion, then there is art in the belly aching laughter I feel with my friends. There’s art in the years-long curated inside jokes, art in the relentless good-natured teasing, art in being entertained by nothing more than the company of ourselves. I think there’s art in the content comfort I feel that’s rooted in familiarity.

Just to get to that level of friendship, there is the art of getting to know someone by memorizing their likes, dislikes, fears, and dreams. 

As I approach the third anniversary of my friend’s death, I’m sharply reminded of the fragility of life. I now have a renewed appreciation for all the special people I have the pleasure of knowing, and vow to consistently show my love. 

Another friend and I are going to his grave tomorrow. I’m reminded that even in death, the love from friendship is everlasting.