Stepping up to the plate

If you are fortunate to have good friends, you are blessed. I have been. Recently I received a call from my Friend Doug who said he was dying. I thought he was kidding, but he never has joked with me. I guess I just didn't know how to respond. But he did. He repeated, No, I'm not joking. It sucks. It hit me hard because this is a guy you just have to love. He has always made a point of staying in touch with his friends. He has been my friend for atleast 38 years and still counting. He was my best friends' boyfriend in high school and well, we always had an unexplicable closeness (his description). So, what do you do when you receive this kind of news? You say, I love you and mean it and I will be there for you and mean it and then get off the phone and say this is one of the most important moments in my life where I need to step up to the plate. Well here's to one of Doug's biggest fans. I am on your team, sweetie.