Two Good People, One Good Day
Tuesday, July 7th, 20097/7 is the birthday of two of the most important people in my life. Brother Eric Oscar, and friend April, both are to be celebrated on this day.
My brother Eric is such a special man it is hard to talk about him in mere words. I’ve known him all but 1.5 years of my life. I don’t know how to think of myself without him as part of the big picture. He is thoughtful, a good listener, patient, hard working, truth-seeking and fair.
He knows me and loves me so deeply, that sometimes when I can not figure out what my mind is needing to know, I spill it all to him. Then he will ask me one question, and I’ll know what I needed to know all along.
He does not tell me what to do, but he helps lead me to my own answer. If I ask a direct question he will give me a direct but kind answer, no fudging and no fluff. Very few people have a friend that real. I don’t take it for granted.
Eric was my “Dude of Honor” at my wedding. Mom said… “Eric’s your best friend… he should stand up for you.” At that point we were breaking a lot of the normal rules of a wedding, and this one had more reason to break than the rest. So Eric stood up for me. And we are all glad of it.
I don’t get to see my brother this week, but we did have a bit of a phone chat. We will get together later this month, probably for a combined Eric/Mom birthday event (her birthday is in August).
My friend April also has a 7/7 birthday. She and I have danced together for years. She lived across the street from me for 3 years, and I’m still bummed that she moved.
April’s daughter Isabel is the joy of my life, often. I spent several hours with her on 7/7 so that her mom could have a little date and some down time sans child-caring tasks.
Of course, this just plain worked great for everyone. April and her husband had some time to chill, I got to recharge the joyful part of me that still is a kid inside, and Isabel got to do some special things she does not often get to do.
That child is sunshine itself, and any time I think my life is not going well, just a short time with her can turn my attitude around. I love her so much I could burst. How kind of my dear friend, to bear and raise “my kid” for me. I had two godchildren her age at one time (they are in their 20’s now)… and I always joked that my friend had my children for me. Now I get to do it again with a newer generation. How lucky is that?
But my relationship with April started before she had Isabel. This is the friend who brought me Benadryl when I was having an allergic reaction and did not feel well enough to go out. This is the friend who figured out all my multitudes of food allergy ingredients, so she could make me homemade cookies that I could actually eat. And this when Isabel was only 1 year old, and April was working the overnight shift to make ends meet.
April is also the friend who helped me get started with letting go of things I did not need to keep in my life. She spent a full day with me, helping me toss and give and store items in my way, when she could have spent that time a million other ways. She paid a babysitter to help me out for half a day. She is a real friend.
I would say this is one good day, to celebrate two great people. Happy birthday, Eric and April!