Friends

"The only way to have a friend is to be one."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today was a great day. Why was it so great you ask? It was great simply because I was able to have lunch with my brother Bradley and my dear friend Nicole. They both work as Pool Managers for the City of San Diego and today they teamed up to visit several pools. I called Bradley just to say hi and to my surprise he told me that he was driving around with Nicole running errands. I hadn't had lunch yet and it was getting to be about that time that my stomach starts to grumble in anticipation. After exchanging the typical "well I don't know where do you want to go", I finally suggested Corner Bakery in Mission Valley. I was craving their delicious Baked Potato Soup and I was sure that Bradley and Nicole could find something that they would enjoy.

I really enjoyed their company and it seemed to make the food taste even that much better. When we weren't putting the next bite into our mouths we were laughing. Laughter they say is the best medicine, but when it’s shared over a good meal amongst friends that is truly priceless. As we were walking towards the door Nicole and I spotted another friend and coworker of ours. Ariell had just sat down and the three of us stood there in shock for a moment at the serendipitous reunion of the three amigos. After exchanging hugs and snapping a quick picture for Facebook, we said our goodbyes and promised to bump into each other again soon. I walked out of the restaurant smiling ear to ear and thinking about how wonderful unexpected reunions between friends can be.

Completely stuffed from lunch I came home and decided that my next course of action should be a nap. I knew that I would be thankful I got in a little nap even if it was shorter than I might have liked it to be. I had about an hour to sleep before I needed to wake up, shower and head over to another friend’s house. This wonderful friend Lizzie lost her father about a week ago and her mother Karen was hosting a celebration of life for her late husband. The Scanlon's have been friends of mine for many years and I couldn't possibly look back at my youth without thinking of them and many fond memories. There was not a snowball's chance in hell that I was not going to be there for them. They had always been there for me so I knew it was the right thing to do.

When I arrived there weren’t too many people I recognized besides the family. A few people from our church and the nursery school where Karen taught, but most of the people were friends, neighbors, and relatives whom I didn't recognize. I walked up thinking about what I was going to say, but before I could finish my thoughts Karen spotted me out of the corner of her eye. For a split second she froze trying to figure out which twin I was. Before I could even get out a few words of sympathy she grabbed me and hugged me with tears in her eyes. I am a sensitive guy, okay fine I will admit that I am a crier. An undeniable sympathetic crier I could feel warm tears well up in my own eyes as she told me how happy she was that I was able to come to support her and her children.

I'm not always a good friend, but I try to be. Sometimes I can be a little phone-a-phobic, and scheduling time for friends sometimes gets lost in my chaotic life, but I try to be there for my friends when they need me. I like what Oprah Winfrey said when she said "Everybody has a friend who will ride in the limo with you, but a real friend is someone who will take the bus with you after your limo breaks down." These friends are there with you for the good times, but when it gets tough and I mean really tough, they are nowhere to be found. I really make an effort to not be one of those friends. I want my friends to know and I hope most of them do already that I will be there for them. Come what may I will be there. 

In closing, thank you Bradley, Nicole, Scanlon's, and all my friends for picking me up when I am down and for being there for me when I have needed someone in my corner. I wish I had the time and space to mention each one of you individually, but you know who you are and of the special place you have in my heart. From the words of a song I learned a long time ago at Curie Elementary School...

"A circle is round that has no end, and that's how long I want to be your friend." 

Be well friends. Cheers!