"The reason I forgive you
is because you are not perfect.
You are imperfect, and so am l.
All humans are imperfect,
even the man outside my apartment
who litters.
When I was young,
I wanted to be anybody but myself.
Dr Bernard Hazelhof said
if I was on a desert island
then I would have to get used
to my own company
just me and the coconuts.
He said I would have to accept myself,
my warts and all,
and that we don't get to choose
our warts.
They are a part of us
and we have to live with them.
We can, however, choose our friends
and I am glad I have chosen you.
Dr Bernard Hazelhof also said
that everyone's lives
are like a very long sidewalk.
Some are well paved.
Others, like mine,
have cracks, banana skins
and cigarette butts.
Your sidewalk is like mine
but probably not as many cracks.
Hopefully, one day
our sidewalks will meet
and we can share
a can of condensed milk."