June 20 is our friend James’s birthday. This is one of my absolute favorite photos, though I don’t know who took it. It’s John and James standing at the gate of James’s old apartment that he lived in when I first met him.
The friendship that grew between James and me had its birth in a shared loss, and ultimately, it transcended that. Like the very best friends, the things he’s brought to my life have all enriched it. I love to hear him tell stories. We’ve shared art and movies and books and trips and more good meals than I can count. He helped me learn that not all change is bad. That sometimes things have to be cut away to allow new growth.
He’s introduced me to new people and enthusiastically welcomed my friends into his life. I could wish nothing more than that everyone could have someone like James–though he’s, like, one in a zillion. Happy belated, DP. Thank you.
Steve V watching over James as he plants a little tree.
He sounds like a good person to have in your life.
Thank you. He’s been a gift. =)