I would like this time to reflect on all the friends we meet or see at the Faire. Some of these people have made a lasting impression on us and we try to stay in contact with them while others we might only see at Faire, Some of them we have never met but are part of our group and therefore part of our lives, either way they have all made a difference in all our lives no matter how large or small.
One day while I was at the faire I saw a large man wearing a long robe headed toward me in a brisk gate. In one hand he held a tankard and in the other a staff. He would have been a little frightening in any other place but on this day he wore a smile on his face and seemed friendly enough that I felt like I just had to say hello as he passed. Later the same day I was sitting on a bench (in a nice shady spot) waiting for a show to start when the same man walked up and said, "Hello friend is this seat taken?" I said no and made some room for him to sit beside me. We began to talk a little about the show we were going to see. Small talks at first but as the conversation wore on I found out that he was a regular at many Faire's and that we knew some of the same people. At first I thought this to be a curious event since we had not met before. Never the less we were becoming friends. I saw the same fellow each time I went to the faire and made sure to make some time to talk to him every time I saw him. He turned out to be a jovial person and I was glad to see him each time our paths crossed. We spent many hours drinking, chatting our time away, and enjoying shows together. He would bring me news from some of the Faires that I could not travel to and I was able to enjoy the experience just listening to his stories. Although sometimes I think he might have exaggerated a little for my benefit just to make sure that I enjoyed it as much as he did.
I could never have known that the last time I saw him would be the last time I would ever see him. It is unfortunate that I must now count him as one of our lost friends as he passed away recently. In the past few years we have lost too many of these friends. We may or may not know them very well but they help make the experience complete for us in some way or another. We miss them all and some things will never be the same without them. We are fortunate enough to live in a time when we can gather together see a show, listen to some music and enjoy each other's company from time to time. I would urge all my friends to say hello and spend some time sharing stories with someone you may or may not know that well. Friends are just people we haven't met yet. When the sun sets on this day, this day will be gone forever, all the money or worldly powers can not bring it back and it will never come again.
I give thanks for these people who touch our lives. I raise a glass as we entrust them to the other side. May we all meet again someday and spend eternity at Faire with all of our lost friends.
All my love, Katrina aka Mystic72Maid
