Fran

In the golden September of two thousand and three
A most wonderful friendship was bestowed upon me
I'd just started at Bishop's, and all was brand-new
Quite exciting, yet scary, and then I met you.

I'd just been devastated by a blow to my pride
So to you, a near-stranger, I had to confide
You didn't freak out, you didn't get mad
You told me that it was okay to be sad,
Okay to be angry, okay to ask why
You even told me it was okay to cry.

Even after that day, you were friendly to me,
And shy though I was, you helped me to see
That I was still good, and talented, and smart
So my time at B.U. got off to a great start!

And then I discovered how similar we were
Though you were so strong, and I was unsure,
We both liked to laugh, but were still somewhat quiet,
We both scorned the ubiquitous, liquor-soaked riot
That pervaded the campus, four nights of the week
We just wanted to study in peace--we were geeks!

We were both blessed with bumps on one side of our legs,
Were we flawed, or unique? To differ, I beg.
We shared inside jokes, and terms no one else knew
But when things got hard, you helped me get through,

From fights with Darlene, to normal school stress,
You healed all my sadness, and cheered any success
From an A on a paper, to an election just won,
To third place in an audition I'd never have done
Had you not told me that I'd still be number one
In your heart and your mind, no matter the score
Your wise words helped me get through that moment and more.

You were kind and supportive from that very first day,
And I hoped that you'd never have to go away,
Have to face the real world, beyond B.U.'s doors,
But you were all grown up, destined to be much more
Than a mere Bishop's student, so when you departed,
Another adventure in life you had started

But though you had left, you remained in my heart
As my friend who was funny, compassionate, and smart
Always willing to lend a hand, or an ear,
Or a shoulder to cry on, to comfort my fears.
You'll always be awesome, whatever you do
Wherever life takes you, I'll be proud of you.

So live your life proudly, and have lots of fun
Because you're da koolest, and you're my number one.
You're my mentor, my sister, my wonderful friend
And wherever you are, happy vibes I will send.

Now I must depart, and return to my life
In a beautiful world, with both happiness and strife
But since you've emboldened me, I've become strong,
And with you in my heart, I can never go wrong.