Friends Through Thick & Thin

It's been a week of reaffirming friendships that are true-blue when you need a helping hand in times of need or times of one setback after another that pop up out of the blue.

A friend of ours recently lost his mother unexpectedly. How do you support or help a friend through the lost when they lost the person who gave them life? When I ask him how is he doing, do I expect him to say "I'm okay" and leave it at that? Or am I ready for him to say "It's hurts badly. I feel horrible, lost, angry, pissed, and damn this world?" When I lost someone close to me once, I don't remember what was said to me as much as I remember the gestures, the silent understanding, the book given to me, the food left for me in the kitchen, the random dvd rentals dropped off for me. It's not easy and there are a million what-ifs and should-haves....at some point there is resentment at the world, at those who are still around, at those who seemed to have moved on and forgotten, but most of all at yourself for perhaps not doing enough.     

A good old friend who moved away for a job on the other coast has come back home to Little Saigon. This friend, former house mate, was one of those people in my life that was always around. Someone you can count out. He's got his quirks, like most of us, but the difference is that he owns up to them. While other people may get offended when you point out an opinion or thought different to theirs, this friend welcomes it and considers you a real friend for speaking up. You don't realize how much you miss someone or how much they are a part of your life until they leave. I am glad Qui is back home with us.

My old Briun friend from long ago is back in two after five years of education the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and UCLA School of Law. During the time that she earned these degrees, I took over her job with a then-Assemblyman have moved on in various capacities but the same good boss. But she's back into town and armed with an impressive background and a drive to take on the good fights.

My partner in crime/consulting, although alway in New Jersey, will back in town soon to iron out the details of The Plan.

One of my greatest gal pals is starting to find herself again. I received an email from her today that just made by day! She's been through a rollercoaster of life's ups and downs and while I know she often beats herself up for not being "involved" especially when others give her a hard time -- I always told her we do things voluntarily, we are in for the long haul, it's a life commitment, and we are entitled to take a break when we need it. I am glad she has found a sourcee of peace for her mind and heart.

I'm quite the night owl. It's usually because of work or activities. However, today it was to witness my very first TOTAL lunar eclipse. The roommates & PBC hung out for most of the evening watching Wok The F)*%, chatting online, watching Chinese movies, playing the guitar, and surfing the internet until it was time to watch the start of the lumar eclipse at 1:51am. We then head out to the beach to take in the phases of the toal eclipse. I just wish we didn't have to drive out so far to get away from the city lights to enjoy the night sky.  

It was fun and out the ordinary. After a long weekend of back-to-back fun and successful activities from morning to night, it was nice to just hang around for something we didn't have to plan, organize, or lend a hand to experience.

A Pause...

As busy as life gets, sometimes one moment, a bit of news, a single look, or a certain sound can bring it all to a pause. 

Mr. TC is a man I have only known for the past four or five years and I have really only known him just in passing. But he is a man true to the community always smiling, always offering words of encouragement, always diligent in the call of duty to serve the community.

This morning, I heard his wife passed away over the weekend. She was only 49 years old.....

I have never met this woman but I imagined her to be like Mr. TC always smiling, always offering kind words, always diligent in her responsibilities, and certaintly well loved.

I checked my inbox and found an email from Mr. TC sharing the sad news.....I don't know how you put into words such news. Attached to the email was this picture only take a week or so ago.... 

 So happy together....

The Little Man is Growing Fast!!!

Matthew plays hard.

Matthew is a ladies magnet.

Matthew works hard.

Matthew is way too wise beyond he years yet he can be goofy as any little kid should be. Without fail, whenever I carry him up the stairs he raise he arms above his head for a ride down the staircase railing. When you ask him to shake a person hand, Matthew will walk right up to you, take you hand, and shake it up and down. Ask him what time it is, he will point to the clock on the wall. Ask him where his Me. Ta^m is and he will pick his mother's phone.