Yesterday was a day of good abso-flippen-lutely fab-u-lous news for some amazing friends in my circle!
Charlie told me that he is soon going to be owning his first home, a dream come true! I’m so incredibly proud of him for chasing his dream and staying focussed.
It was pretty much a done I’ve been to the place with him a few times to just peer in the windows like proper lookey-Lous and once to see the actual inside. It is a stunning place, with a magnificent view, but most importantly, it checks all his boxes. Yesterday he said, “It’s not a new chapter. It’s like a whole new book” and I found myself wondering what the title would be, or if it would be something to do with a Wonderland of sorts.
While I have never owned a property of my own, I have been prone to bouts of nostalgia walking this journey with Charlie. The excitement of the smallest of things, like buying hand soap that matches the bath towels, making that first meal or simply unpacking stuff into the cupboards of a place you can call your own.
At times, understandably, doubt would set in with questions that usually started with “What if…” and I would just revert to the logic of – you found something that has ticked all the boxes you wanted, except the jacuzzi and the Lamborghini in the garage, so ergo, it is just a matter of time.
It is an exciting adventure – Charlie’s delight is so evident; there is an inflection in his voice that belies his attempt to be nonchalant about the whole affair. I’m quite sure if he was a woman he would physically be glowing.
Shortly after receiving Charlie’s news, I got a call from Jack, who I consider a solid friend, although work is what ties us together. During his last courtesy visit to my office, we got talking about goals. He mentioned that he would love to climb the corporate ladder within the company that he works for, but that the next step would mean relocation for him and his wife. His beliefs and mine are pretty much aligned and it was said that if it’s meant to be it will.
Jack’s call was to tell me that the promotion had happened, and that in three weeks he and his wife will be moving to a new city where he will be the National Sales Manager. The next step on the ladder after that is Sales Director.
Jack’s loyalty to his employer and his open, dynamic approach to thinking outside the box in a challenging market are his keys to success. I’m confident that he is going to be a shining example to the colleagues entrusted to his leadership.
Then last, but by no means least, I saw news on Facebook that my amazing US friend, Mike McClelland’s debut novel, Gay Zoo Day which was published in September last year, has been named a finalist for the IBPA’s Benjamin Franklin Award in LGBT literature.
This in between completing his degree and becoming a father to a beautiful baby boy he and his husband adopted. I’m so inspired by Mike’s achievement. It makes me want to dust of my work-in-progress-novel and get it finished.
Admittedly, I haven’t read the book…yet, but it is merely because I haven’t ordered books in ages. While I am a real-page book-slut, I am beginning to realize that at some stage I may need to join the Kindlers *gasp!
I am humbled to have many wonderful friends that are scattered all over The Globe and if every day can be one in which I get to share happy news (even from afar) with even just one of them, and celebrate their victories and their joys with them, then my life already feels full. I’m grateful too, to the ones that are close, that want me to be part of their life-puzzles, because after all, as my tagline says, I’m the piece of the puzzle that just doesn’t quite fit.
Charlie, Jack and Mike – you guys made my Tuesday. I’m ecstatic for the roads that lie ahead for each one of you because you’re all so deserving of everything good that is coming your way!
Reflections of a Misfit 