After giving Savannah passionate kisses, I’m back at the airport.
Waiting …
Watching …
It is a different type of contemplation than I have on the beloved back deck. Everyone seems anxious.
I’m off to Pittsburgh for meetings tonight and tomorrow with the goal of launching the International Street Medicine Institute. The Board of Directors, of which I’m one, is meeting with the President of the Pittsburgh Mercy Health System. The last time that I was in Pittsburgh it was during the NFL playoffs and the Steelers were cruising towards the Super Bowl though they crashed and burned once they got there.
I know all about crash and burn. A year ago at this time I’d already passed burn out and when I found myself “suddenly single” I crash and burned in the worst sort of way.
But yesterday I had the opportunity to say “Thank you” to a collection of people who got me through that rotten part of my life. While several weren’t present at Bar Church, many were. So I told the story of my crashing and burning and then I moved to the incredible friends who rearranged their lives to take care of me when I wasn’t capable of taking care of much anything.
I don’t take much for granted anymore though certainly there were times when I did. Once you survive crashing and burning it leaves you changed. I’m told that I’m softer than I used to be ... humbler … slower …delighting in little things. Celebrating my friends!
I’ve learned a lot about friendship through all of this. After leaving a career that I’d given everything and then being left by someone I’d given everything to, yesterday I thanked my friends publicly. These are the one who refused to take “No” for an answer. They showed up, broke in, cooked when I wouldn’t eat, drug me out when I refused to go, made me laugh when all I wanted to do was cry.
They are incredible people and they brought me back to life when I was long gone and buried in this tomb of loneliness.
I know a lot of people. Many of them consider themselves my friends. And I like most. But the ones who refuse to take no for an answer … well … they’re special.
So I’m raising a glass at the airport to some special people. Johnny O and Judy, Whitley of all people, Trolley Joe, Jenny Orr, my extended family at the Breakfast Club, Shirley, Stacy, Sarah, Dave and Sandy and this wonderful dog … Goddess.
Conner and Hania. (woo boy …Conner … I really do hope we get to stand before the Judgment throne together! If we don’t crack God up then we’ll be laughing all the way to Hell!)
Then there are these other friends who rose from the dead to be with me. Dedra, Mitch, Mark, Gyni, Linda and most of all … Fran.
And I’m blessed with children who turned into friends.
And a mother who won’t quit!
Now it’s time to fly.
And I’m looking forward to whatever is going to happen in Pittsburgh but I’m looking forward more to coming home.
To my friends …
Whom I love …
