Holiday Homage Part Two: Jeremy Ricketson, my Soliathero

I write. It is as normal to me as breathing. Sometimes the writings are better than others and sometimes the writing is longer than others, but it is how I express myself and I am drawn to self expression often.

There is NO OTHER person on the planet that gets that or gets WHO I AM better than

JEREMY KEITH JONES RICKETSON.

When talking, writing, or thinking about him I find myself at a loss for words. And that is NOT a normal situation in my world.

We have been friends for 20 years. That is 2/3 of our lives.

There are two components of why I like him:

SELFISH

He has been there for me during a hard breakup, my Dad's death, hours of conversation, validating performances, writings, songs, poems, thoughts, EVERYTHING.

BECAUSE OF HIS IMPECCABLE CHARACTER:

He embodies...

compassion,

calming energy,

wit,

intelligence,

truth,

reality,

talent,

childlike wonder,

and

LOVE.

He is my greatest ally in my journeys and shall forever be. There are many times when I like to vanish and be alone and process this chaos and triumph of my life, but he is the LONE person that always has an invitation.

He makes my world beautiful and I love him more that I love anyone. In fact, he redefined that word for me.

He is not a showy type of guy. He is one that some do not notice because he is what he is: a subtle but breathtaking marvel, an enigmatic blend of honesty, whimsy, and adoration. If anyone lets him in, he will be there for you no questions asked, no matter what.

This past summer my heart has delighted because he found a boyfriend and people in the theatre community have embraced his talents and seen him, really SEEN him. (In the past sometimes that has not been the case because I can tend to fill a room.) I bask in his newfound success and affirmations.

He has no idea the trust or respect that he engenders. His quiet resolve and inner strength have been a beacon to me in the past years and I could devote all my writing to him and not capture the MIRACLE that is Jeremy.

We are like the same coin, but just different sides, forever connected, forever friends.

Jeremy, you are my soliathero (He is beyond mere words so I created one last year around this time), my best friend, my brother, my everything, and I am blessed to know you, to love you, and to have you grace my life the way you do.

Wishing everyone their own Jeremy,

Dustin

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