best friends

Juma has played with his friend, Eden, every since we met her and her family in August, 2003 when we moved here. To our dismay, our friends are moving away for a PhD program. I broached the subject of Juma's best friend moving away.

"But she's coming back, right?" he said happily. When I explained that she's moving away for good, he became very sad. I pulled him close and let him cry on my shoulder. I told him we'd be sure to invite Eden over to play as much as possible until we leave for Zanzibar in May.

When his other best friend, Zachary, moved away in December, Juma wasn't this upset. He was just as good as friends, but I don't think he realized then what it really meant for Zachary to move to Germany. He's just a few months older now, but it seems his emotions have matured some.

After our conversation, we invited Eden over to play. They decided to play "prince and princess."