8.20.2009

A Friend Named Lou!

She moved across the country to New York, knowing no one.

It came down to two places to live. She picked the smaller one, but the one with the incredible view.

The job was horrendous; killer hours: six days a week, almost every weekend, never two days off in a row, sometimes a very long drive early in the morning, arriving home very late at night. No time off for anything. Demanding bosses. Not a lot of support, little feeling of camaraderie; just slave labor.

It was horrific; not that she complained, that's just the way it was.

But, there was LOU. Lou lived in the apartment next door in the home with the view. He was single, a school teacher, a coach, an author of a semi-autobiograpical book about a young boy.

But, Lou was so much more than that.

Lou was thoughtful, generous, kind, always ready to help, supportive, fun, energetic, funny, interested in others, happy, good; a natural caregiver.

But, she was all those things to Lou also.

Both were busy, but both helped each other out when they could. When Lou was sick, she took him soup; when she needed a reliable car, Lou insisted she use his.

It was a symbiotic relationship; both were strengthened by the friendship.

Her killer job - which was for one year - was over, so she moved...

But, again, Lou was there to help. He drove with her from Long Island to her new home in Virginia. While she went to her first day at her new job, Lou hauled in EVERY box. He was there to encourage, support, help.

Good ole, wonderful, caring Lou. But, he had a life and a job, and returned to Long Island.

She went about her new life; he went on with his.

But, he wanted to see how she was doing.

So, Lou surprised her and flew to visit her. How could Lou know that - of all the weeks he could have picked to see her - she needed him the VERY MOST those few days. It would not be a fun trip for Lou; it would be long days and nights; it would be running errands, nursing her, getting her water, medicine, taking her to the doctor, and just being there, because she was very, very sick.

For, you see, she had just come down with H1N1 flu.

And, Lou - incredibly - was there for her. She says, "I think he truly saved my life!'

How does one ever find a friend like Lou?

Thank you, dear, dear Lou. We all appreciate and love you.


6 comments:

Nat said...

OK...I'm thinking this might be a story about your awesome daughter, my old roommate. If so, what a wonderful friend Lou has been to her. And I can't believe she caught H1N1. I bet she was absolutely miserable! And how blessed she was to have Lou there through it all.

Martha said...

Kristi is in all our prayers, and I put her name on the prayer roll at the temple tonight. PLEASE keep us posted on her recovery & how this horrible disease will affect her 2nd year of residency. Any patterns of infection? It really is all about friends and family. I'm glad Kristi has both in spades!! Our love to her!!

Justin said...

Lou is the BEST.

kelli said...

Everyone needs a neighbor like that!

Mrs. Olsen said...

Kristi has always been glue
to people like Lou
cuz she's one too.

I hope Kristi is doing better. I just heard she was sick. Did she contract it from a patient? Is she on the mend?

Ms. Fish said...

Lou is an amazing person!! Thanks for writing this.

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