No, not the television show, the real thing!
Friends come in many forms.
There are those you would trust with just about anything, personal or
otherwise. Some friends are there to
help you out in a pinch, like, let's say, moving. Some are there for something more casual. Some are just people you know, using the term
loosely.
My criteria for a friend used to be pretty high. Just because I know you, didn't mean we were
friends. A friend, to me had to be
something more that a simply acquaintance.
After the day from hell, my criteria changed, in a big
way! There were around six hundred
people at Kim's funeral. I knew most of them.
Up until that point, only a few of them I would call friends. However, in that space and time, things
changed for me. There were people from
all walks of our lives in attendance. There
was family, both immediate and extended; people from my professional life, as
well as Kim's; people from the hockey community, both Kim's and mine. And people from the community I joined three
years ago, the Second City community.
In each area, my feelings for these people have become much
stronger than they ever were before. All
of a sudden, I have a ton of friends!
And it actually feels kind of cool.
Being a very private person before, I really didn't share all that much
with anyone other than Kim. She knew me
inside out. But now, I have so many to
share things with. A case in point is
these stories.
I've had the good fortune of being able to share some time
with some very good people at various events throughout the GTA. I honestly don't think I would have had that
opportunity had I not re-evaluated my perception of friendship. I've become considerably closer to Kim's
family as well. Strength in numbers!
There will never be anyone who can replace the little Blond
who stole my heart. But it is nice to
know that I have such a strong support system in place, when I need it. I am also that much more giving now with my
time and resources, when the situation arises.
I'm a firm believer in the old adage that "one good turn deserves
another".
And now, my friends, it's time to make a difference….
