In the first couple of months after my Father's death and funeral, all Mom and I did was eat, lay on the couch, and watch various DVDs. In the rare occasions I would venture out of the house, I would drive to Hastings and walk around the store in a haze and rent or purchase a film or TV on DVD to watch that night. It was my therapy walking amidst these fictional stories that were neat, tidy, and had happy endings.
Somewhere, in the chaos of my life, I stumbled upon "Friends". I had seen a few episodes during its ten year run on NBC, but was not really a fan. I rented a few episodes and put them on to watch, in the ritual that had become mundane, but three magical moments occurred in very rapid succession, moments I shall not soon forget:
It was the FIRST time I heard my Mom laugh again.
It was the FIRST time I saw that she was still in there fighting to be alive and vibrant.
It was the FIRST time she said, "Ross is cute."
I promptly went out and bought the entire series. I found it at an amazing price, but even if it had cost a few thousand dollars it would have been worth the investment.
In the past two years, there has rarely been a night that I have not played a "Friends" DVD. I love the characters (most particularly Phoebe, although all of them are priceless), the sharp writing, the situations, the love, the camaraderie, and the joy of it all.
It is my favourite series and one that helped me through the abysmal days and the all-too-familiar tick-tock of the lonely nights. To Marta Kauffman and David Crane, I thank you for creating a show that was (and still is) my therapy, my refuge, and my Wonderland.
I'll Be There for You (What an understatement.)
So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's D.O.A.
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even
your year, but
CHORUS:
I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to pour
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
'Cause you're there for me too
You're still in bed at ten and work began at eight
You've burned your breakfast so far, things are going great
Your mama warned you there'd be days like these
But she didn't tell you when the world has brought you down to your knees, and
CHORUS
No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Since you're the only one who knows what it's like to be me
Someone to face the day with
Make it through all the best with
Someone who always laughs at
Even when I'm at my worst, I'm best with you
Yeah!
CHORUS
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
'Cause you're there for me too
I am grateful to be on the other side of grief, bound for new destinations.
I am thankful for all my friends, both on-screen and off,
Dustin
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