"The most I can do for my friend is simply be his friend." -Henry David Thoreau

Last week was an eventful week full of ups and downs, rights and lefts, diagonals, L's and every other directional pull. My friend's dad passed away from cancer. He put up a good fight but in the end, cancer won out as it often does. Then a few days later, two of my good friends got engaged (to each other). And even though these two events don't seem like there could be any remote association, there was a strong likeness between them that brought insight and peace during a tumultuous time.

When we heard the news of the death, we were all concerned about the mental and emotional well being of our friend. However, I don't think any of us knew exactly what to do except to be there when he needed us. And indeed, when he called, we were there. And at the funeral we were there. And the burial then to his house afterwards. And even though things went unsaid, I know that he was appreciative of our support and we were glad that he called.

Then a couple days later, two of friends got engaged. An informal get together was in order and to celebrate the joy of our friends, we were there. The drinks flowed, things got rowdy and I'm pretty sure I caught someone two stepping. And the same support that was there for our friend in his time of need was there for our friends in their time of happiness.

They say its in the best of times and the worst of times that true character comes out. And if thats the measurement to go by, then this group of friends were true friends. The kind you watch on TV and wish you had, the kind that sits by you when times are tough, the kind you fight with then each lunch together the next day. The kind you wait your whole life for and sometimes don't get. The kind you're thankful for and count your lucky stars to have found yours... mine.