Some of my best friends are men

I’ve been thinking a lot about a dear old friend of mine who is currently in the hospital.  His name is Garry, his wife is my BFF (and I only give that distinction to her, no one else.  Best friends don’t come easily for me), and he just had quadruple-bypass surgery yesterday morning.   He came through it well and is doing ok, the last update I had.  Garry and I go way back.  I first met him and Mary in Turkey in 1977 (if memory serves, and it often does not!).  We were all stationed at Karamursel AFB in Turkey.  Garry, my fiancé Glenn, and I all worked in the Computer Operations office.  Mary was, at the time, a stay-at-home-Mom, and she watched my son (then 4 years old) along with her two kids (4 and 6) while we worked.   Life was good that year.  We all became extremely close friends.  The weird thing for me was that I became friends with both Mary and Garry, separately and together, if that makes sense.

Garry and Mary in Vegas last year, celebrating Garry's birthday.

Garry has the most hilarious, dry sense of humor.  He had me in stitches so many times.  He found out early on how much I get grossed-out over anything to do with snot, buggers or the nose.  Ewwwww.  So of course, he enjoyed taunting me with snot jokes, especially at work.  The other guys at work, to include my fiancé, chimed in, and I was severely grossed-out on a daily basis.  It seemed to be a special source of entertainment for these guys.  I didn’t mind so much, as they could all attest, I can give as good as I get.  And I did.  We had a blast at work.  And during off-hours, Mary, Garry, my fiancé Glenn and our kids spent most of our time together, playing cards, drinking wine, going to ball games, BBQing.  I will never forget that time in my life.

So, Garry, just get well soon and take care of yourself, will ya?  I want us to have many more times together, my friend.   And the snot jokes?  Keep ‘em coming.  I won’t complain.  But I will get revenge.  You know that I will.   I love you so very much, my beautiful friend!

I don’t know why exactly, but over the course of my life, I have made close friends with men, instead of women, most of the time.  Only the last few years have I been comfortable being friends with women.  I can’t say it’s because I am a lesbian, because in truth, I am bi-sexual (with a preference for women), and I firmly believe sexual preference has nothing to do with friendships.   Many people would beg to differ, however.   I can make a friend, male or female, and it has nothing to do with my sexual preference.  So, I don’t know why it’s easier for me to be friends with men.  I’ve always worked primarily in men-dominated jobs until just recently, so that may factor into things.  I guess I’ll never really understand it.

I’m not discounting any of my amazing women friends.  I don’t know why they put up with me, but they do.  And I love them all for it.  You know who you are.   There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. 

My men friends…..Garry, Dave, Dean, Maverick, Matt, Dick, Mike, and anyone I forgot to mention…..you guys rock my world.  I hope you know that.  I look up to you.  I revere you and your accomplishments, your compassion, your wit and wisdom.  Your significant others are damned lucky to have you and I’m sure they know that.    I love talking computers, writing, books, sports, etc……just not snot……with you all.  Thanks for seeing me for who I am, and not just some old broad.  As a person who is often discounted these days because I’m older and I need a cane because of my bad back, your devotion helps keep me sane.

Me and Dave

Me and Dean

Kenna and Dick

Mike and Santa

OK, I’m done now.  I hope some of you are still awake.   My mind has been on my friend Garry and I just had to write something.   Writers are like that.  Sometimes, the emotions just take over the fingers and we write our hearts.    

I heart you Garry.  Get well soon!

Garry's Birthday celebration last year in Vegas.