Sudden Loss

Yesterday was a ride day. The first day since coming back from a long trip to Little Rock. A story into it self. A long story for later. Today was the the ride to get on the hills. I was looking for all the hills I could climb for the time I had. Skyline, Liberty, Enchanted Way, Jory Hill and Sunnyside. With all the other smaller climbs between. 50 miles of good hard word. The road of the long prayer as I like to think of it.
There are so many turns. Plants, birds, wild and domestic. I talk to most of them. I say hello to the birds often. Once and a while a bird will take note and fly along with me for a way. I like to think they fly with me. I feel as though I am a part of their world. Though these wild birds are tough. Tougher than me for sure.
There has been a friend. A friend at the turn of a nice down hill section. A fast area. Go hard and hold it long. Always to the left on the wire that streach along. The same place everytime. At first it would fly away unhappy with my presents. Over time it just started looking over it's shoulder. We would pass hello. Months of this. Clock work. I looked forward to the moment. 2 hard workers passing for a few seconds taking the time to cross the line.
On this day no one was home. I just kept going. Off somewhere. Next time. On this day I would pass this way a second time as the route of hills demanded it. Though this second time after 35 miles of effort I was unhappy not to see my friend. As though it was ment to be. As it is. I looked off to the right of the road. There he was. Gone to the speed of things. The passing of a friend. I turned around after a dam across my lips. My Kestrel was now changed. Closer than ever, though still. I was stunned. I stopped by my small friend now lost. As though still stunned by the passing I picked this beautiful creature up. Life now changed. I put him back further from the road. I wanted to do more. More had passed a while ago. I went on down the road. The miles came quick. The hill welcome. The sadness of the loss. Just another change in my life. A memory and a friend not soon forgot.