Friends part deux

Well, well.

I called Julie. Actually, I called her parents first - surprisingly, her mom remembered me. How, I don't know - she wasn't annoyed, so I guess I wasn't a nuisence in high school :) though she only met me "in person" once.

Got her phone number, anyway, and talked with her. You know, it *still* surprises me at times how happy Julie seems to be to talk to me. Yet, honestly, she's one of the anchors in my life, has been from time to time. I think I can honestly say I'd be a different person had we not been friends. Vastly different.

Anyway, she's got a kid now. You would not believe how happy that makes me! And it's not my kid, no (otherwise, *damn* I'm good, given I haven't seen her in person for years and we've never had *that* kind of relationship!) It sounds corny - even did when I said it to her - but I'm glad to know there's a "little Julie" growing up for the next generation. If she's anything like her mom, someone's going to make a difference in the world. Maybe not newsmaking, earth-shattering - but she'll be there for someone, and that alone may just save someone's life.

Yeah, I admit that, Jules *just being honest and a friend,* as good of one as she was, kept me turned away from that deep of a depression on occasion in high school. Her having a daughter means the world *will* be just that much brighter a little longer.

Am I gushing? Maybe. But it's true, IMHO. Hell, I'd go so far to say that bin Laden and his ilk do their damndest to inspire fear and hate - yet the Julies of the world quietly go about making it brighter despite those like him. He's lost already.

I know, I'm gushing all over about Julie, while I'm married - nothing against my wife, obviously! I love her dearly. But I've been friends with Julie longer than I've known Leah was alive - hell, longer than I'd really cared one way or another where Oregon was. Just the way it goes. I've known her over half my life.

Thanks, Jules. You really *have* made life more than bearable.