I have the greatest friendship
with a local Lutheran pastor
because of her willingness
to contribute her thoughts
for an article I hurriedly wrote and published in 2017
on the Protestant Reformation.
She also allowed me the next year
to vent and cry my social troubles to her
for four hours at her office,
like a mother addressing her child’s cry.
In the brief time I have known Pastor Karen,
she continues to be the most passionate person
about living life positively
and about praying for animals.
Pastors will talk creation
at services I attend,
but it’s not too often I hear ministers
set aside social intentions to specify creational matters
as a Sunday prayer.
Pastor Karen is such an important person for me to know,
Being the first woman and Protestant minister
I ever truly befriended.


An Office Depot employee named Matt
remembers my name.
Matt gives business interaction
a whole new meaning:
The secret to his successful customer interaction
is the genuine tone of his voice:
Matt’s voice sounds as though
talking gives him purpose,
while he listens just as sincerely
Happily anticipating relatable life scenarios
from customers.

Skylar,
my friend who works at a homeless shelter,
gives inspiration to young adults like me.
She radiantly exemplifies job loyalty
As house-monitor every weekend.
I usually drop by to hand over donation goods
such as toys for the younger females of the shelter
and foods as peanut butter (a favorite!), alkaline water,
chicken tenders, organic raisin bran cereals,
and toiletries as toilet paper and Kleenex.
There have been times though
where I wanted to just see her.
I told her how I felt, once,
directly asking her in her office
while she was sipping her latte
If she’d want to meet up outside the women’s shelter
for a date.
Skylar informed me that my gesture was sweet,
but she prefers being single out of her own choice.
Skylar likes being single.
No blame there.
Each time I visit,
she’s either helping a resident,
cooking a meal for all in-house patrons,
or in her office
doing administrative work.
Though I don’t see myself as a rule-follower
when it comes to religious teachings
as fasting
or simple slip-ups
as tracking shoes in the house,
the way Skylar abides by company policies
Reminds me that even being a free young adult
has its boundaries
and responsibilities
on and off the clock.

I’ve heard it said
That the world is one big family.
I don’t deny that statement,
but until I meet everyone around the world, in the jungles,
departed, yet to be,
the family I have
are the ones who remember me.
I am a son, a friend, and a rewards member.