Friends

I made it over to Southern California last week to see friends.  It is very odd, when I think about it. Never before in my life have I traveled somewhere, not for relatives or the purpose of a family function, but simply to see and be with some overly nice people.  I don't know why they are so good to me, honestly.  What did I ever do to deserve their friendship?  Nothing.  I am not a generous person who oozes niceties and I can't afford to give nice gifts to those I appreciate.  I collect cans, bottles and plastic to recycle for cash! I pick up pennies on the streets fergodsakes!

Still, these people, who come from all walks of life, of all ages and means are who I get to call friends.  I have some friends I see a few times a year, some I just text, some who just 'like' some of my posts on facebook. Some are old coworkers of mine or Gary's.  The closest are the ones in California. The land of nuts and granola has some awfully kind people despite what the rest of the country thinks about the place. What a gift it was to be able to live there and meet these people!

Robbie and I stayed at a friend's house in Ontario. Robbie is comfortable with the house and the owners now and they with him.  Thank goodness he is a good houseguest(minus the spring coat shedding).  He gets his lovely walks in the morning and in the evening.  His tail is just a little higher and his feet spring when he gets to walk in old familiar surroundings.

When I go to visit over there, we always go out to eat.  My meals are often picked up by generous friends who don't keep tabs on that stuff like I do.  I add these acts of generosity onto my list of meals and favors I owe them. One in particular, a coworker of Gary's, is just outrageously nice.  I so enjoy talking to him over drinks and dinner.  This visit I also got to see Gary's former admin assistant who was special to Gary, but also to me.  I will never dig myself out of the hole of what I owe to these two people.  They may not care, but I do.  I dislike the guilt, but I love these people!

On my drive back home, I was thinking that, toward one person in particular, I have not been a good friend. I don't need to interject MY viewpoints into her situation any more than she into mine, which she has never done. I felt bad about this, but on the phone to me later, she said she didn't feel that I do. Being a good forgiver is the hallmark of a good person.

I do have other friends in far away states and even in other countries. I am so lucky to have them all!
I do not deserve them, but I would never want to lose any of them, either.

Here's an example of how sweet some people are:  After I left the restaurant, I texted this to my two dinner partners, former coworkers of Gary's: "You two are the best people Gary ever to chose work with. I am lucky he did. Thank you for not forgetting either of us".

This response came back: "You are the best thing he left us."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope the day will be a lighter highway
For friends are found on every road
Can you ever think of any better way
For the lost and weary travelers to go?