I
have always been very particular of who my friends were--more so than
family, partners, lovers, acquaintances, sex pals or whatever
relationship you want to talk about.

Friends
are VERY important to/for me. They are there when I want and/or need
them and they are out of my face if I need to be alone. They ask very
little and give a lot. They are there for you or they are gone. A friend
can tell you exactly what they want even if it means telling you off
when you don't want to hear it because you know they are right and, in
most cases, won't say, "I told you so," but have  a big smile on their
face when they do!

I
have been a very lucky man in my life in that I have always had friends
there for me. Breaking my life into decades I can point out to at least
6 'do or die' friends each decade. They are people that I can say
anything to, talk about anything to just as they can say anything to me,
talk about anything to me.

We
don't agree 100% about everything nor do we see or talk to each other
everyday but we are there for each other when it is a must. I have lost a
lot of friends in the past 30 years due to natural causes of old age
and/or AIDS plus two in accidents, one killed by a drunk driver and
another in a random robbery. I miss them and still find myself 'talking'
to them now and then.

One
thing I have learned about friends is that they do the unexpected,
think about you at the oddest times for no reason, always reach out to
you and,constantly, surprise you without even realizing it. They are
loyal and, right or wrong, are there for you.

Yesterday
I 'celebrated' the 2nd anniversary of my aorta valve replacement
operation and, after a really, relaxing, excellent lunch with Allen, I
came home to find a package, and I know she didn't plan it, it was just a
coincidence,  from Maria from her visa trip to Singapore, almost as if
she knew I was celebrating a special occasion. I was overwhelmed by the
gift, what it said, what it meant and her thoughtfulness. This isn't the
first time she has done something like this as you can see by our
turtle Toodles below.

(And, yes Maria, I will get those paintings framed soon!)

Now
we all know the reason she does this is simply because I am going to
win the Powerball and I have promised her she would lose her virginity
on Broadway! Want to know something? She would have sent it anyway.

No
one will ever convince me that I am not a special guy as my special
friends--people who care and are concerned about me--people who think of
me at odd minutes--people who keep in touch with me in many ways--have
me as a friend because they feel I am worthy of their friendship.

I
sincerely hope that you have friends like mine as they are priceless.
Friends have always been the most important people in my life and I have
always said I would rather have a good, loyal, respected, respectful
friend than a lover, mate , partner or even a 'hot' number!  :O)

Thank
you, Maria, for the joy you brought into my life yesterday and ever
since we met--someday Broadway, Perth and Fort Lauderdale!