Monday, June 8, 2009

My Hero

I have a new Hero. His name is Rick. We've been friends for years.

He is the best friend of MY best friend's husband. We are "third wheels".

We attend their family events. My friend's little boy calls me "Auntie Charmaine" and Rick is "Uncle Rick". Sometimes the lad calls me to thank me for something stupid, like hiding Easter Eggs for him. It's so cute. I save his messages. When I arrive at their home he leaps into my arms. The same way my nephews and niece do. Except Aiden. He's too big for that. He hugs me then lifts me into the air.

When Rick emails me, it freaks me out. His name is Richard Peterson... my dad's name.

I think I'm getting emails from beyond the grave each time. They don't have email in heaven, do they?

Rick called Mohammad (the cabbie who has my cell phone in Los Angeles who has been courteously answering my incoming calls). Rick paid Mohammed $60.00 to drive my cell to his house. Mohammad gave Rick a 50% discount to return my phone. (And you thought Muslims were bad?) Rick told me not to worry about the 60 bucks, it's on him. a
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That's what a man does. He takes care of business, without being asked.

I'm so lucky. I have a small handful of terrific friends. I have a great sister, brother-in-law, nephews and Chris, my wonderful friend in Denver. I have a best friend, Linda, who is trying to save my soul and did I mention my neighbours? I have one, Dan, that just comes over when I'm not home and paints my house, gives me new garbage cans and repaves my walkway. Isn't that crazy?

Real men. Someone is reminding me what they look like. Thank God, Allah or whoever.

14 comments:

JIMSIGHT said...

Oh boy, you been busy as usual.. so sorry about the hand? any prognosis? I certainly am not a doctor but I do play one on the internet.. lol.. no really 99% of hand tumors are not malignant and yes they are expensive however second opinions when dealing wiht ortho docs and oncologists kinda important..nuff said

and um.. you have who's phone number, who happens to live in the city between Long Beach and your house and has repeatedly told you if you ever needed a hand (oops bad choice of words) ever needed a ride...and oh well never mind you seem to prefer the victim role lately..

no one ever heard of priority mail in your neck of the woods, could have saved the gas and the cabbies time.. is everyone you know sniffing glue?

Joanie said...

I have neighbors like that too. Although, a few years ago, 2 of my neighbors told me they were going to come over and get my gardens into shape. Of course, they'd been drinking for several hours at that point (neighborhood grad party). I'm still waiting... NT holding my breath.

Amanda said...

Agreed! I think God/Allah/Higher Power shoves those people in our faces most when we seem to forget they exist; when we've been shown (and tolerated) the lower side of humanity. Mt gratitude for those real men friends (or heros) grows each day.

LL said...

Good to know you're back on men. I'd hate to think we were going to lose you to the other team... ;)

Everyday Goddess said...

Good! He sounds great. A big heart is always a good thing.

namaste said...

you have some beautiful people in your world. they are just like you! so it makes sense when you think about it.

Anonymous said...

There is always that ONE man(so called) that sours you on men for awhile...
And then someone or something comes along to show you another side...

Men suck...

SSP said...

i left my phone in a cab in chicago last february. I got back in the hotel after tipping the guy a LOT for getting me NOWHERE (blizzard shut the place I was trying to get to down...) and as I trudged in, I realized it was gone. I had a meltdown...and then the cabbie came running in the luxury hotel...he had double parked!! and ran in after me! So glad I had tipped him so well...then I gave him the last of my money ($10) as thanks.....phones...stupid, huh?

Charmaine said...

Jim- Okay...pur up youe dukes. I totally forgot you live up there.

I'm not a victim. Some men have behaved bady and I am merely exposing them.

How did you know about the hand tumors? The doc said the same thing buy the surgery still will cost a FORTUNE!!!

Charmaine said...

LL - You are SUCH a smart ass!

Charmaine said...

Amanda - I think you're totally right.

Goddess - Yea, he's a good friend.

namaste - Aw shucks. Thanks for sayin' so.

Blue Eyed - So true.

SSP - See some guys are just awesome.

JIMSIGHT said...

pur up youe dukes? is that vicodan or airplane glue typing?

victim with regards to the cab ride lassie..

cause I spent over 25 years hanging out with Surgeons and Nurses that practially live in the OR..

LL said...

Better than being a dumb ass I suppose... :ewink:

SSP said...

pur up your dukes??? LOL...i love me some vicodin. Do you realize i have not taken a tylenol in almost an entire week??? i LOVE relaxing! Who knew it could be a cure for chronic headaches!!