The number 27 right now, means the turning of age for one of my dearest friends in the world. He is 27 today...and I'm amazed at how a decade (or more?) long friendship spanning an entire time zone (and a few states) seems to work for us. We don't know anything different, but I do know I would be a very different person without him in my life.
Usually I'm the one talking. He listens, always. Sometimes I can't tell if he's rolling his eyes at me or surfing the web as I ramble...but the point is, he's been there for me. He saw me through a lot of terrible times. He's also shared my joy during the good times. There are moments when we can sit in silence on the phone and just be. It's rare for me to feel comfortable with any guys (and he knows why) but he never once judged me for my tense moments or when I call him because I don't know who else to call and vent to. He still doesn't judge me and I am so appreciative of his presence in my life. I know he could have easily disappeared like so many people have the past few years. He is still with me. It's strange to think where I would be without him in my world but thankfully I don't have to wonder. There are very few people I trust in my life and he's earned it with continuous support.
I wish we lived closer. Sometimes I wish I missed my flight back to MI when I visited in the fall. Something about him makes me feel at peace and then I can only hope other people in the world are fortunate enough to know a loyal friend, no matter how far apart the two people are. He sent me flowers from a local (to me) flower shop just because he felt I needed something to smile about. I still have the note and a single white (now brown tinted) rose from the bouquet. When I was upset about the accidental death of my beloved purple MP3 player...guess what showed up at my door, just before Christmas? An exact replacement! I strive to be a great person because I know he will find such joy in his heart knowing once I find my way to "the good life" he'll be watching me with the same smile I saw when I climbed the stairs at DIA.
I'm sure he knows I wouldn't want him to settle for anything less than he deserves in life. I try to bend his thoughts and make him dream a little but sometimes I don't think he really understands I just want him to be the best person he can be. When you're really a friend to someone it requires tough love sometimes. More than anything in the world I want him to be unafraid to live life and know it's okay if something leads to a mistake. I'll be there to encourage and support. I want him to grow this year as a person. I want him to stretch his wings and find what really makes him feel good... more importantly something to give his life a meaning. He'll get there someday. I know it.
He might not know it but I've always had faith in him, and I want him to be great. So, Happy Birthday to my beloved friend, Josh. Oh, and Josh? If you're reading this...may your donkey never lose its sense of direction and may your glass be at least half full for today and every day after.
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