Family of Friends

Yesterday, I was feelingout of sorts, I think more from an emotional source than a physical one. I found myself yesterday wanting to get back to work and knowing I couldnt, I most of all missed my son. Today I wanted to lighten up, it is the weekend and I actually had a very good treatment week, I feel very well. Since the surgery and subsequent diagnosis, I have seen a group of people step up and do things that just are above and beyond. I mentioned this to one Friend and he smply said "You need us now, we are here " The photo is of a Birthday party thrown for me on 6-30-07, one year before my most recent party which was thrown in a hospital room. I find it most interesting when those two parties are Juxtaposed against eachother. Both parties were arranged by friends, obviously the hospital party was more difficult, I was amped on steroids, tied to an IV and not real social. As they do most times they pull it off, though the memory is fuzzy I was told the party was good and I think I enjoyed myself. On Thursday morning Shannon came into town, she is the daughter of my Good friends Steven and Analissa. Pammy went to highschool with Analissa, lost touch then reconnected a few years back. these two provide our retreat from insanity, when life gets overwhelming, we go to south Texas and hang out on their cattle ranch, instant relief and of course lots of love and hugs. Shannon lives on the ranch as well, she has a husband and three beautiful girls. The Irony of this is while the ranch is my retreat, Pammy and I going there have become a regular retreat for Shannon, I forgot to mention, she is the queen of all fisherpersons. In that we are Kindered spirits, so every chance possible Pammy and I go to the ranch, visit with our friends and go fishing with Shannon, it doesnt get any better. When I allow my mind to just kinda swirl around this particular subject I think it's funny because it invariably will focus on when I moved here 10 years ago. Pammy had put together a party to introduce me to friends, I arrived and here came this ebulent, Charismatic man with his arms wide grabbing me in a hug. he didnt know me, I had never met him, he is the wildpig, he is ferrell, we adore him. After I met all the friends at this impromptu party for me my single question was " Honey do we have any straight friends? " That was ten years ago and the family has evolved, a few have spun off, however, more over the years have come into our gravity and stayed. They are the Family of friends and they are wonderful.

Always with Love,
Tony.