Special People

I posted about weirdness surrounding some FB reconnections, but tonight it seems I felt the glow again of finding old friends.

My high school girlfriends have greatly stepped up reconnections because of FB, and some of us are getting together for lunch on Sunday.

And now one of our Executive Protection Troupers with whom I worked while with the Lt. Governor tracked me down. We chatted for the first time in about 9 years tonight on my way us to a conference in Oak Brook.

He and the other guys were like my big brothers. We had beers after events, late breakfasts after early morning events. Traveled around the state and even the country. I followed them up and down I55 at obscene speeds, with them flashing their lights at marked cars and radio's "and I've got the one behind me" as we zoomed by. Helping me when lost in the wrong neighborhoods in Chicago, and calling Indiana troupers, requesting that I not be left alone, when broken down on a cold winter day. Beers and dogs and Wrigley; pics of kids and the most obnoxious Christmas display I have ever seen.

My big brother troupers even coached me through negotiations when buying my house, and even moved me. Ran background checks on potential dates (usually without me knowing) and paying a visit to a man paying me a bit of unwanted attention. No matter what, no matter when, I knew the guys had my back.

Talking to Kevin tonight got me reflecting on those people who make your life better by being around them.

And he was not the only one I talked with today. Client friends, friends who are clients, the engineers who are part of this conference this week. More big brothers you can count on for anything.

Two who I KNEW would be there and step in when we found out a speaker for Saturday would not make it after all. Who I KNEW would call, no matter how late, after a long day themselves.

Another who friended me on FB, texted me about where to buy shoes for his son while passing through town on the way to a wedding, who "sold" us all of the things for Jackson's room at daddy's house for a mere $100 that were meant to be for his granddaughter's room at their house, who always pics from Wrigley.

These guys, my "big brothers" across the state, Kevin, Dan, Mike and Curtis, were there for me on a very very trying day today. They have left me feel warm and fuzzy instead of a crabby mommy tonight. They make my life better by simply being a part of it.

They are an inspiration to me. I hope I can emulate them.

Good night my friends. My God bless you all.