Depends

George is leaving.  Ethan's very best friend in the whole world is moving out-of-state when school ends next month.  We only found out yesterday.

"Dad, what am I going to do without George?"

I can't even describe how that sounded.  It tugged at my heart.

As a man who is four times your age and also has a best friend, I know that of which I speak.  George will always be your friend.  To the best of my knowledge, he is not moving off-planet, going into the Witness Protection Program or being abducted by aliens.  You will still be able to talk to him, text him, email him, Skype him and, God forbid, even write to him.  The marvelous thing about the 21st century is that the world is smaller than ever.

I understand that, in 9-year-old-world, that last bit is of little consolation.  Unfortunately, there are few things I can say that will make this situation bearable.  It is also unhelpful (and outside of my control) that your mother and George's mother are overcome by fits of tears whenever they pass each other in the hallway at school.  They, too, understand the impact of this situation.  These are the facts of your life.

So, it is my advice to you, son, to make the most of the time you have left.  To quote Shel Silverstein,

"How much good inside a day?  Depends on how good you live 'em.  How much love inside a friend?  Depends on how much you give 'em."

- 2 May 2012