I just celebrated my birthday by going out to dinner with a few of my friends this past weekend, and as everyone sat around the large round table in a private room at the restaurant I leaned back in my chair and just watched them all for a moment. Right then I thought to myself, Simon, you’re a fortunate guy.
I consider myself fortunate because I have a generous and diverse selection of friends whose characters add richness and flavor to my life in an immeasurable way. I draw on all of them in ways they might not fully appreciate, and maybe I don’t tell them enough that they’re all quite brilliant people and I’m privileged to know each and everyone of them.
It’s simply not possible to gather all of my friends together in the same place at the same time, but each year I invite friends here in the UK to join me for dinner, and each year a good number of them do just that.
This year twelve of my friends were able to make it and sitting there watching them all chatting at the restaurant was just a buzz for me. These guys might not cross paths under any other circumstance but this, and there they were sat around a table together and all enjoying one another’s company.
The group was made up of friends from the north and south of the country. There was one of my oldest friends from childhood, Darryl and his girlfriend Lindsey, My Mom and Dad, Joelle the adventurous ‘space cadet’, Jon the paramedic, Gavin, ‘James the laser’ and his wife Karen (with the boots), Jeffrey whom I travelled to India with, and Phil and Kerry-anne for whom this would be the last time they would be in attendance as they’ll soon be heading to New Zealand to make a new life down-under.
It was great! It’s always great, and for me it’s just magnificently rewarding to sit back and look at everyone and think to myself, these people are my friends. And if I were to be granted a birthday wish, then I’d wish for the world to be smaller and the table to be bigger for just one night so that every single one of my friends from across the world could be together.
—
In good company
Not a drunken party
Wrote the following comment on Jan 14, 2008 at 3:53 am
as i’m beginning to make more and more friends who dont know eachother this sounds like a great idea. Glad you had a good birthday, and its great to take moments like these and reflect on the wonderful people around us. I think more of us are in need of more of this.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 14, 2008 at 12:36 pm
It’s always amazing to see the variety, the depth and the connectiveness that can develop in shared friendships. Sounds like fun, thanks for sharing!
Wrote the following comment on Jan 14, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Actually, I kind of appreciate having those separate friends up and down the country. I just celebrated my birthday this past weekend in London with my great friends down there. Its not that I don’t want my various friends to mix, its just nice to have a place where I can spend some “me” time.
Anyway, I know what you mean Simon, friends like these are special and very important, some I’ve let go and never wish I had. Such is life.
Happy Birthday mate, from one Capricorn to another :o)
Wrote the following comment on Jan 14, 2008 at 3:04 pm
How nice to have all those friends around you for your birthday! Happy new year : )
Wrote the following comment on Jan 14, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Hey Simon,
“Herzlichen Glueckwunsch zum Geburtstag” !
Talk to you soon.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 14, 2008 at 10:01 pm
happy belated b-day!
Wrote the following comment on Jan 15, 2008 at 3:01 am
happy birthday, simon! it sounds like it was a wonderful celebration.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 15, 2008 at 3:35 am
wow.. i dont understand how you can call that many people friend… not that its bad.. associates maybe… but i guess we all use the term “friend” rather loosely to describe people that we like and get a long with. either way you are blessed… im glad your birthday went well. we will have to celebrate together next year.. maybe … oh and i love that pic. cause it really is one whole picture take seperately
Wrote the following comment on Jan 15, 2008 at 3:44 am
You know what Bridge, I don’t use that term lightly. I have friendships stretching back to my primary school days and many that stretch back over 10 years now.
I’ve learned the hard way that people can really let you down, but part of the what makes me call someone a friend isn’t just what they can or would do for me, but what I can and would do for them.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 15, 2008 at 4:37 am
Happy Birthday Simon!!
I’m sure that all of us are quite happy that you are a part of our tables of friendship as well.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 15, 2008 at 4:59 am
i can get with that. i guess ive been burned so much that i forget sometimes that i used to be willing to anything for those that i loved.. i got a little jaded when i thought they didnt love me that much back.. im…. im sorry
Wrote the following comment on Jan 15, 2008 at 5:18 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU OLD FART!! lots of love
Wrote the following comment on Jan 15, 2008 at 7:31 am
Sorry I never made the bun fight Bro, but glad you had a great birthday. See you all next year people!
Wrote the following comment on Jan 15, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Glad you enjoyed. Sorry I couldn’t make it.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 15, 2008 at 4:59 pm
“I’d wish for the world to be smaller and the table to be bigger for just one night”
I’ll drink to that! Cheers and happy birthday!
Wrote the following comment on Jan 16, 2008 at 10:48 pm
oh happy bithday…belated that is.
ryc: yeah if I wanted a facebook I would have one. I have never even been to that site to be honest. I think what people forget is being different is what makes things more desirable (xanga) instead of competing w/ every other boring thing. I like DeviantArt for that reason. They are different forum….not the same little teeny bopper bs.
btw…..were both hitting 40 in a couple of years. oh wait youre older than me lol!
Wrote the following comment on Jan 17, 2008 at 12:20 am
I’m not quite hitting 40 that soon Barbie, but soon enough :-)
Wrote the following comment on Jan 17, 2008 at 2:04 am
well I have 5 but you have less! I still cherish when I get carded and that little boys still flirt w/me. then again you are only old as you feel. and I plan on lying as long as I can.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 18, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Happy Birthday boyo…. I imagine your friends and parents probably take a look at you now and then and think that they are just as fortunate ;o)