My Friends

Yesterday, in honor of November and Thanksgiving, I gave thanks for my family.

Today, I am so thankful for my friends. They are that group of people who chose to allow me to be a major part of their lives. They didn't do it out of a blood tie, but they did it out of an honest mutual respect, like and love between us.

I've lost some of these special people in the last few years. I'm so thankful that I still have so many of them left.

Today, I want to honor a few of those who have passed on that held a special place in my heart.

John Flick. Without John this blog would not exist. Without John I wouldn't be the person I am today. John always knew when I needed to talk. He'd let me say what I needed to say. When I was done, he'd respond with something that would make me laugh.

I never had the honor of meeting John in person. We were internet buddies. But the void he left in my life when he left us was huge and to this day has never been filled. Damn kids.

Barbara Gunzinger was one of my dearest friends in Alaska. We didn't share any blood ties, but when I think of Barbara I will always think of her as family. We celebrated all the big and small events together. When she passed away Alaska became a little colder and a little darker. The holidays a little dimmer. But oh the fun we had while she lived. And Barbara knew how to live.

Harley Waldrop is another person who came into our lives in Alaska. Well, that's where he came into my life. Roger knew him decades ago when they both lived in Texas. Harley was to Roger what Barbara was to me. That person who was there when it was important and when it was just nice to share life events with.

The last one that has stood out in my life who has passed on is Leeann Cowhig. Leeann and I had several decades of history together. She was one of those rare people that no matter how long it had been since we talked or seen each other we could pick up like we'd only been gone from each other for a day.

I don't want this to be sad though. Yes, I miss each one of these people. I miss them terribly. Some days much worse than others. Even so, I am so thankful they were in my life. I'm so thankful they chose to share their lives with me.

When I think of them, and I do often, I think of their laughter. I smile as I remember the time they lived and the joy they brought into my life.

And for those of you who are my friends now, I'm not mentioning you only because I value your privacy and I know if I started a list I'd leave someone off and I don't want to do that. I adore all of you and I am so very thankful that you've chosen me to be a part of your life.