Whenever I call you Friend

It's hard to believe 5 years has passed since my friend and mentor Dick lost his battle with multiple myeloma. It was fitting to be out in the woods camping this past weekend on the actual anniversary date, I thought about him as I snuck away from the campfire and sought a little solitude in my tent just before everyone else at the retreat had called it a night. Dick loved the outdoors, especially Yosemite and although I never experienced that side of him, his daughters were kind enough to share their memories and adventures out in the woods with me the day of his funeral.

What a pair we made. He a retired LA county firefighter/public information officer..me a snot-nosed inexperienced rookie firefighter. I didn't have to be anyone else but me when we'd spend time together. No question was too stupid and no story was too longwinded. Dick was a master storyteller, telling me stories of his experiences and asking questions of me about my fire/ems training to become more knowledgeable about fire training in the current day.

The last time we were together, a couple months before he passed we had only planned to spend a couple hours visiting, but the day flew by and before we realized it 16 hours had passed and it was well after midnight and we had talked the entire time. I think we both knew in our hearts it would be the last time we'd be together in the same room and didn't want to have to say goodbye. It wasn't the last time we spoke, but it was the last time I would walk through his front door to be greeted by his bright eyes and friendly smile.

He was one of the reasons I started going to church. Whenever I was in town, the easiest place to meet up with him was at the church he went to. We'd sit together during the service and then either sit on the lawn and swap fire stories or head across the street to a favorite restaurant and have lunch while the fire stories were told. I didn't even realize what was taking place until a few years later when I discovered church no longer was a scary place to be and that most Christians were normal and nonfanatical. Even if Dick was out of town when I was in California, I found myself going to the church on sunday morning for services. It continued for years even after he died. I'd walk the grounds and think of him and the times we shared.

The first picture we ever had taken together was us standing by a Wyland painting of 3 whales under the water, with the mother whale bringing the baby whale up to the surface for it's first breath. I didn't know it at the time, just how much that painting would come to describe our friendship. He guided me up through many things and passed away around the time I got officially notified of being accepted into the paramedic program. He didn't have any doubts I wouldn't be.. I just wish I could have told him personally I had made it.

He had done and learned many things in his life and willingly gave any advice when it was sought. He was one of the most optimistic people I have ever spent time with. He once told me, "I am not dying from cancer, I am living with it." and he did, until his final breath.

May I strive to be that same person for someone else when our paths cross.

Thought for the day: "If you're alone, I'll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me.- author unknown