It’s always good to hear from a former co-worker, and Facebook has been a great way to preserve those friendships.  I sent Tammy a birthday greeting, about the only way we stay in touch anymore. We weren’t close friends but I wrote many going away poems for the staff at the radio station in Portland where we both worked. She apparently never got a poem, and jokingly asked for one in her response to my “Happy and Healthy Birthday” message.  I was both honored and surprised by her request, remembering my contributions to our friends, so I quickly complied:

Tammy

You stayed at Alpha,

Far too long.

Making the “Great Eight,”

Before moving along.

 

Ayn, Al, Cathy, Jaylene,

Jeana, Jim, Nicole & you.

Remained in the nest,

When I finally flew.

 

Then Al said goodbye,

A poem his request.

I wrote Twenty-two,

All in jest.

 

What’s one more,

As I look back.

It’s your birthday,

I’ll take another whack.

 

Three years now,

At Brown & Brown.

Unlike me,

You stayed in town.

 

As Facebook friends,

I see your smile.

But face-to-face,

It’s been awhile.

 

Maybe at an airport,

We’ll cross paths again?

And when in Florida,

Please stop in!

 

Your name comes up,

Every day without fail.

After all, we live on,

The Tamiami Trail.

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