My Best Friend Ever

Name of your best friend:
Jim a/k/a Waddles

List one thing you appreciate about your friend:
I have always appreciated Jim's ability to make me feel like not only the only woman in the room, but the prettiest too.

One quality you most admire about your friend that stands out above the rest:
Only one quality... hmmmm... there are so many... but the one that stands out the most tonight is what a wonderful and caring father he was. The love he had for ARD and ECD shone through even the roughest patches of his life. They were his everything. He didn't make one decision without completely thinking out how it would affect their future. He wanted so much for them and worked so hard to be able to provide it. In the end, the money he tried so hard to make to keep their life comfortable would be his downfall.

When you see your friend, what is the first thing you notice:
Unfortunately, there are some people who went to great lengths to make sure that I will never be able to see my friend again. But the first thing I always noticed about Jim was his big, strong, square shoulders... I couldn't help but run into his comforting arms every time he would walk through the door.. nuzzle my nose into those shoulders and let him squeeze away my worries.

Name one thing you really enjoy doing with your friend:
Talking. We could talk for hours a day... and never run out of things to say. I really miss having Jim to talk to everyday.

Describe one of your friend's good habits:
Jim had this habit of grabbing my hand when we would start to fall asleep. If he was sleeping on his side away from me he'd pull me into his back and pull my hand up to his heart and wrap his arms and hands around the outside of mine and drift off to sleep. I always felt so secure and protected in his arms. And in this position I always felt like I'd come home.

Name one of their unique talents and gifts:
Jim could make a friend where ever he went... everywhere he went was a new opportunity for Jim... and he didn't even realize it. In fact, I think he had himself convinced that he was "shy." Jim's gift to me, to ARD, and to ECD was his gift of unconditional love. I hope that his children can remember this when it is time for them to find a soul mate of their own.

How well does your friend interact with you socially?
Very well. We were the perfect compliment to each other. One or the other always knew enough about some random tidbit to keep the conversation with other people and couples flowing. Jim was this plethora of amazing knowledge. He had been to so many places and towns and picked up so much along the way.

How has your friend helped you in your life?
Jim has taught me so much about life. How to love with my whole heart. How to trust. How to pursue my dreams. How to be a better woman. A better friend. A lover. Jim taught me how to come into my own and out of my shell. He taught me how to truly be myself. How to let that woman shine through. That it was okay for that woman to take down the walls and be vulnerable. But most importantly, how to live in the moment and plan for the future.

One wish for your friend:
JUSTICE.

If you had one thing to say to them, what would it be?
It's okay Honey. I don't blame you. I blame them. If we had that weekend to do over again and could take this tragedy out of the equation, I would have still insisted you fly down to spend the time with the kids because that was what mattered most at that moment... the time you were to be spending with them and the laughter in their voices meant so very much to the both of us... only this time, I would have insisted on coming too... on the oft chance we couldn't change the planned outcome in one way... at least then I would've had the chance to say something didn't feel right, let's just send a tow truck for her.... I miss you Babe. I love you. There's nothing in this world I will not do for you. I have no plans of giving up until we all get what we deserve... until then I'm sending your sign back to you the only way I know how to...