Good People

This week has been strange for me. I feel like someone told me to go sit in the corner of a circular room. The week started with great weather on Sunday. I was able to enjoy a nice walk and take in some great scenery. It gave me hope that beautiful spring and summer days aren’t far away.

Tuesday night I went to my Aunt Kate’s 25 anniversary party for work. Although she has been there longer than 25 years they celebrated 25 because they couldn’t count the year or so that she left early on. Heck we all have to take chances and she took one. Funny how the people that come back to work now get credit for their previous time served. I could never figure that out, but that’s the way it works so why question it?

When I got to the Montcalm for dinner I quickly sought out my brother. It had been a while since I was able to talk to him in any length. We made quick work of catching upĀ  on things and shared a few laughs along the way. Although he acts all tough I can see that he’s not in a good place right now. He’s in a place that I was in a few years ago. It’s a horrible pain to deal with and sometimes we have to put on the best happy face that we can until we find something to help us out the other other side. We have to fake it until we make it. I was fortunate when my world came crashing down because my friends crawled out of the woodwork to help me.

I never realized how many lives I touched along the way until that happened. Everyone that offered their assistance to me told me they did so because of all of the times I helped them. When I look back on it I never felt like I was helping anyone. All I ever did was show them the real me. I offered my shoulder to cry on and my hand to hold when they were down and out. I tried offering my condolences while also giving them positive insight in order to help them get beyond their difficulties. I guess it gave most of them a different view of me when they saw me as the vulnerable one. I was always the one that couldn’t be broken or the “strong” one. Funny, but I never felt so weak in my life as I did then. I’m going out with many of those friends this weekend. It will feel good to see them now that I’ve fully recovered and found my way into a new world filled with happiness and satisfaction. However, with that many of us together, there’s sure to be at least one person that will not be in a good place mentally. I’ve realized that it’s all a part of life. One hand washes the other and when I see all of my friends I will surely offer my ear if anyone needs it.

As I sat at the table Tuesday night and listened to people speak about my Aunt Kate I was glad to see that all of the people that spoke also saw what I had been so fortunate to see my entire life. Every single one of them mentioned that she is one of the most caring, compassionate and kind souls that has ever walked the face of this planet. Not that I wasn’t sure, but I was glad to see that I wasn’t the only one who knew that. Some people are just good people and she is surely one of them. Many people say that I’m a good person, but I don’t think I could hold a candle to her. Well, then again, maybe I got some of who I am from her. She gave me a lot when I was growing up and I’m sure some of it must have stuck if people think I’m a good person too. Although I gained most of what I have from my parents there have been a few other significant players and she is definitely one of them. When I listened to everyone speak I was proud to call her my Aunt.

Today at lunch we had a volunteer group in the cafeteria that was promoting their business. When I glanced at the table I saw a face that I recognized, but it took a second to sink in. When I looked a little closer I realized that it was one of my former co-workers. I hadn’t seen her in a few years and she looked exactly the same. I always respected her when we worked together. She was always a good employee as well as being a tremendous person. Although she was always fairly quiet around me she was a caring, good all around person. We spoke briefly and caught up on some old business.

In the course of the conversation she said a few things to me that made me feel good. I told her of the unfortunate incidents that had taken place in my life over the last few years and I could tell that she felt for me. However, I could also tell that she knew I would be ok. She gave me the confidence that I deserved something good and that something good would surely come my way. In all honesty I could sit here and try to explain it, but it wouldn’t do anything for anyone because I’m the only one that truly knows what it did for me. We spoke of her 5 year old child. We also laughed about the fast approaching 40th birthday. When she spoke of her child I could see her eyes dance and come alive. I could almost feel the emotion. I told her how it never happened for me and she left me with a thought that made me feel good. She said, “It’s never too late and I know you would be a good dad.” I’m not sure why, but it just made me feel good inside. Sometimes the smallest things that people say can make a large difference in the way we look at things.

This week was a good week. I got to live in the present, look back on the past and glance into the future. The weekend is supposed to be really nice and I’m sure the weather will bring out some happy faces. I’m headed to Plattsburgh on Sunday morning to meet with some old friends and meet some new ones. I think it will be a wonderful experience and something I can’t wait to do. The road I’m traveling on is becoming clear with each passing mile. Some of the fog has lifted and I can begin to see the sunlight on the other side. I’ll keep driving until the fog burns off and I settle into normalcy again. I think it’s coming quicker than I had anticipated.

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