228. Grief

Katie is a bit socially awkward - somewhere between aloof and shy. She doesn't always acknowledge the compliments that friends pay her. She doesn't always remember to ask how someone else's day is going. She doesn't always need her friends when she is distracted by some huge project scheming in her head. She  has always been well liked by others, but not one to have any really close friends. And then came Maggie in second grade. Maggie too is struggles with the social side of growing up so she understands Katie and they became close friends. For fifth grade, Maggie ended up moving to another school. Katie has tried to get together will her for a month, but both their little lives are so busy. Today, Katie just lost it. She cried so hard and so deeply for about 20 minutes. I couldn't even really understand what she was upset about. Finally a bit exhausted her cries slowed enough to tell me how much she missed having her friend. The way she described her feelings was similar to a person grieving from death of a loved one. It was that painful and profound.