The Tao of Fish

Many years ago I went to work at IRS.  I had the fortune of meeting my best friend Mike.  We were torrid lovers for about 5 months and then I guess he decided we were better off as friends.  I was bitter but about 7 years later climbed on board.  We played in a medieval recreation group where he was given the moniker Fish and it stuck.  Apparently enough time had passed since Barney Miller only a few of us ever unleashed the Abe Vigoda teases.
Fish is my guru.  We are entering our 21st year of friendship and I am so grateful for all of his advice.
I can't remember it all at once but I am sure it will crop up many times.
He was the first person who made me laugh after I lost my Mom.  Helped me feel okay laughing.  You know that first time you laugh or are happy after the most devastating time in your life?  Where you feel like your head is breaking the surface after drowning in your misery, but you feel like you are leaving part of yourself under water?  That sadness.  You feel guilty but you have to move past it.  It takes a good person to not only make you laugh but help you navigate the land mine your life has suddenly turned into.  I am forever grateful.  He stood up for me as my Man of honor at my wedding, helped me navigate the devastation of my husbands affair and drug problem, held my hand as I became and adoptive Mom and watched me struggle and offered tons of encouragement as I suffered my subsequent divorce and the sticky yucky waters of dating again.
He is wise beyond his time and I am just super happy to call him friend.