Wednesday, July 23, 2008

I've got some pretty cool friends....

Some days I have to just stop and take a look around me. Days where I am feeling low and blue, used up and worn out. Useless and abused. Not today, today I feel pretty good about myself. Just introspective. Those are the days when I realize that I have some pretty damned cool friends! People who are not your average druck in the world.

I have one friend who, for many years, was a corrections officer. Dealing with the dregs of humanity. Murderers, thieves, rapists, child molesters, hopeless drug addicts, sick and psychopathic individuals...the folks you and I never want to even know exist. Now, after a rather succesful span of significant time in that career, he is overseas, in a war torn country teaching others to be safe and care for others who can't defend themselves. He is a well known martial artist (in those circles), published author, and just all around general good guy to know. A paladin in the rough... and I think if I could have anyone in the world cover my back in a bad situation, it would have to be him, or Superman (but only because Superman is bulletproof!)

I have another friend, who is salt of the earth. Best friend you could want. He is a former police officer, now works in computers for a Major supermarket chain...top of the company kind of fella. Has issues at home, his kids have medical conditions, his wife has complicated diagnosis' and multiple issues. But I have no doubts in my mind, that this paragon of humanity, this dedicated and loving father, will always take a few minutes out of his day to talk if I need a few words with him...someone to confide in, commiserate with, or a few words of encouragement from.

In the litany of worthies, I have a friend, who I went to college with. Funny thing is, for years, I'm not sure I considered him a friend, ya know? He was annoying back then! LOL The guy who got picked on. I never really payed him much attention. I was pretty wrapped up in myself back then. Feeling lonely, picked on, crushed by a woman (haven't we all...). This guy went off and joined the Airforce. Spent his time in the air, loadmaster for C-130. Traveled the world! I, in the meantime, got involved with a bad relationship. When this guy gets out, he comes and looks me up. Why? I have no idea. But his real and sincere efforts to be my friend, made me realize what a good guy he is. Now he is one of my most valued friends. And now, after all this, he wants to help me become more successful in my career. Just because! He has a good career and wants me to succeed too. You can't buy that.

And my wife, my best friend in the world. The one who loves me in SPITE of my faults, my fears, and my deplorable spending habits! LOL College educated, intelligent, well spoken, the light of my life. Computer professional, author, geneologist, artist, mother, wife, and inspiration.
She who, in the words of Jack Nicholson as Melvin Udall in the movie "As Good as it Gets", "You make me want to be a better man."

When I started this, I intended to enumerate all of the people in my life who make me feel good in spite of the fact that, Sometimes, I feel like the poor unwanted bastard step-child next to them...instead, I realized, before I could even get through the list....that if people of this caliber want to be my friends....I must be doing something right, in spite of my own feelings of inadequacy, eh? How cathartic!

So, to all my friends, the ones I've mentioned, and the ones I haven't...Thank you. Thank you for being you, and supporting me. If I can be there for you...ask...I can be rather unobservant at times!

I love you all, even when I don't say it!

Bye 4 now!

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Awww! ILY2! But you know you're my HERO! You may not be perfect, but you are pretty good, as good as any of us gets. I'd fall in love with you all over again. And you have so much stepped forward these past 12 hard years love, in a way I never expected you to. Love you, S

Kami said...

I love you too! Big hug for my big, strong, handsome, heroic buddy. I really need to spend more time with the both of you and your fab kids.