Thu, 28 Jul 1994

Dear Diary:

I didn't sleep well last night. Part of it was a bit of loneliness that passed my way...loneliness now and some loneliness perhaps to come. Many of my friends will be gathering for a party in SF on the 7th of August. I wish I was there to be with them, but I will be in a hotel in Neenah...probably by myself, hopefully not in a bad place emotionally. I so wish I could be with them one time before I take this trip.

And this extends to my friends so many other places. I'd so much love to spend some time with some people who perhaps understand the significance to me of this moment that is approaching in my life. It's not the end of the path that is my life, just a brief stopover perhaps, but it is the end of one adventure and the start of a new one.

I started this adventure alone. Right now it feels that I will be ending it that way. But the quality of the loneliness is different. As I searched for worlds to express it, I wrote the following:

Friends Along the Way

I started out on this

road all alone

Fear and Pain

my only companions

I wondered if

I would lose myself

The road seemed dark

and fraught with peril

Til I found I had

Friends along the way

As the road wound

through hard terrain

I sometimes doubted

my ability to go on

But I fought back

the Fear

and worked through

the Pain

With the help of my

Friends along the way

As time passed by

the road ascended

Obstacles less frequent

but harder to pass

And at times

I needed the

places of refuge

respite and care

offered to me by

Friends along the way

I've come to the crest

of the mountain

I've climbed

As I look down below

I see all of the

barriers crossed

the challenges I met

and the lessons I learned

I will never forget those

Friends along the way

What lies over

the top of the road

There is no

way of knowing

But deep in my heart

From the depths

of my soul

I know that I'll have

The company of my

Friends from along the way

-Robyn Elaine Serven

Love,

Robyn