Where does the time go?  I often think of my younger days and all the friends I used to have.  I wonder whatever happened to them, and then I wonder what ever happened to ME!  There are those key people you can look back and know they played a major role in your life.  At the time, you don't think you'll ever live life without them, but then one day you wake up and realize they are gone and you haven't talked to them in years.  I recently reconnected with 2 people, who at one time in my life, I couldn't have lived without.  I never really had family, so no one was ever there for me until I met some key people in my 20s who did stuff for me that I could never repay.  The stuff family should do, but didn't.  These people were not my family, yet they helped me through thick and thin.  Being a single mom on a limited income was tough, and without these "friends," I could not have made it.  One friend, Carl, I met through his son, who I worked with.  We were only 21 when Carl's son was shot and became a quadriplegic.  Through that time, I became very close with Carl and he treated me like a daughter, paid for meals, let me do my laundry at his house, fixed my car when it broke down, and never did he ask for a single thing in return.  We lost touch one day 10 years ago, and I always wondered what happened to him.  I recently came across a memorial website about the death of his son 4 years ago.  It really saddened me to know his son died after all the drama they went through over that senseless shooting.  I found him through that website and have been talking to him again.  The other old friend is Rio.  Again, I met him downtown KC when I was 20.  He took me under his wing, showed me how to make money in business, rescuing me from poverty, did countless favors for me, and constantly reminded me I was worthy and didn't need crappy men or my crappy parents' approval to be something in this world.  I also lost touch with him 10 years ago, and just recently found him again.  We talked for 3 hours and it was just like old times!  HA!  He still plays in a band (yes, my old vice, hanging out with bands) and I almost felt young again listening to him talk the biz.  Anyway, I'm not sure what I'm trying to say here, except keep the few real friends you have near and dear.  In those days, I really didn't realize just how much they did for me until they were gone.  I was so busy clawing my way through life, and griping about not having parents/family to help, that I didn't see what God had put in front of my eyes....good friends to soften the way and provide the things I couldn't do for myself.  I love them to this day and cherish all the things they did for me and my kid at a time I could barely take care of myself.  I was very sick, but that is another story and another blog for another day.  So, hold on to those friends people!  Here's a pic of Rio on his bike in all his glory!  Love you dear friend.....

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