A close family friend passed away last week. He was a huge influence on me and my circle of friends. Matter of fact he treated us like family and taught me a lot of stuff, like how to swing a hammer, how to take yourself less seriously. What amazed me about him is how large he lived. He will live in my memory as this loud, boisterously friendly, funny, larger-than-life and wonderful human being. I miss him already and my heart goes out to his family. The world is a richer, better place for him having lived.

I am so lucky to have very close mates and sometimes I don't remember how amazing it is to have these huge extended family and collection of people that care for me. And it's not just that they've put up with their kid's friends, but welcomed us all in as surrogate family members and I'm so grateful for each and every kindness they have shown me. I know that they've helped me become a better person and I love them all.