A night to remember!

I have lived a very long time and had a ton of friends along the way; they’ve come and gone. Some relocated for job opportunities, others unfortunately passed away and a few went through nasty relationship break ups. I have found in my long in the tooth years of living on this earth that true friends never leave your side. When times and weather get rough that’s when you know who your real friends are. That said, I honestly feel that Aza is and always will be my best friend.

I believe she wrote in that beautiful post that she wanted me to have a birthday with “My Friends” I can tell you that when I was with Mrs. Ed I never had a birthday with my friends. They were never invited because it was always about her friends being forced into my life. My birthday was always an excuse for her to have another “girl’s night out”. I got very tired of that so when Aza told me about what she was going to do I was touched and deeply appreciative. I can tell you that it was a monumental feat in itself to organize and plan for roughly 40 police officers to all get together at one time and place. This was done in absolute perfection by her. We have a place in our city that is basically an arcade for adults (they have a full service bar). The plan was for everybody to meet there, socialize, if they wanted to drink a few beers go ahead and knock yourself out, but most importantly just to relax and have a good time. I had over 40 of my closest friends and coworkers there including the entire staff at my lawyer’s office. One of the dispatcher’s that works in my zone a lot was invited. She brought 2 other dispatchers with her so all of the officers were able to put a face with a voice. I respect our dispatcher’s tremendously, they are our life line.

I got a ton of gift’s ranging from gift cards to restaurants’ to the Harley Davidson shop, which I went to today. Aza’s dad came, now if you knew her dad you would know that this isn’t something that he would do for anyone due to his disability. I was so proud that he came, he is like a father to me and I have the utmost respect for him so I was thrilled. After things kinda slowed down, the cakes were attacked with ferocity and the gifts opened. Aza and I along with another officer that we surprised with a cake because it was her birthday a few days earlier went to play games. We had a ball, I was told that I had to play that dance game- you know the one that you stand on the platform and jump on the arrows when they roll up the screen in front of you. Aza demanded that I get on that stupid thing with her. She kicked my old ass! She was dancing up a storm while I just stood there looking stupid, feeling very old and completely uncoordinated. We ended up closing the place down at midnight. The really cool thing was that nobody got stupid drunk, people met their co workers and had great fellowship. It was a fantastic party that will have everybody talking for a long time to come; because of Aza’s efforts everyone had a great time. It was an awesome night and one that I will never forget!

When Aza read her post to me before we left for the party, I have to be honest, I had some very big croc tears. It brought back some very serious memories. I loved my mother and father so much. I was so lucky to have 2 people that at any moment would have given their life for me. They were deeply in love with each other throughout my entire life. I was very blessed in more ways than one. It is amazing to me how one person can make such an impact on your life. Those words that Aza wrote really came from her heart. I knew that because when she read it to me I could feel it in her voice. I know that if my parents were alive today they would have absolutely loved her and her family to death. I’ll tell you why- because they honestly love me from the heart. That’s all that my parents ever wanted for me. I feel like I let them down because of the failed marriages but I guess that’s just life. I know that I could hear my mother now, “Honey she is a sweet girl, that’s what momma wants you to settle down with.” Of course, she would understand that I was wayyyyyyy too old, plus she is veryyyyyyyy married.

I remember my mother telling me about my birth. I really was not supposed to live. As Aza wrote, I stayed 5 months in the incubator. My mother by her own admission did not bond with me. She told me that she never held me the entire time. Then one day they told her that I was going to pull through so get the room ready. I came home and she honestly didn’t have that motherly feeling until one day it hit her like a ton of bricks. She told me that I looked at her and smiled, the rest is history. My dad was bad ass. He ruled with an iron thumb so I didn’t get away with anything. I had a great deal of respect for him because he was a real family man. He worked hard, played hard with me, but was always there for me, just as my mother was. So, Aza was incredibly accurate with her words. They are gut wrenching for me because I truly miss my parents but I can lay my head on the pillow every night and sleep well because I know in my heart that I was loved and when they needed me I was there for them just as they were for me.

Aza, I will say it again and again you mean everything in the world to me. I am so lucky to have you in my life. I know that my parents are looking down and smiling because their prayers were answered. All they wanted was for me to be happy. Well, after 48 years I am truly happy. I owe it all to you and your family. I know in my heart that I have friends and family for life.

I Love You and Thank You for all that you do for me. I thank God every day that we are family.

I’m Out and We’ll Talk Later.