To be I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. Although I didn't want to, I remember when my mom wanted me to go to Australia with the People to People student ambassador programs. Did I want to go at first?
Hell no!
I wanted to go to Japan. It was a good thing that I ended up not going to Japan or I'd never meet my Haitian brother Sharif. Sure enough, the group that was scheduled to go to Japan that summer '07 ended up not being able to go because of an earthquake that occurred and they had their trip rerouted elsewhere and I met the person I would refer to as my "brother from another mother".
What can I say about this guy? We met in that awkward stage towards the end of middle school to that summer just before high school and some how we've remained friends. Hes a relatively soft spoken guy with the pretty good heart. And if that not had to find these days I don't know what is. Over the 3 week trip to Australia we bonded so well that our conversation never seemed to end. Literally. When we got back to NYC he was actually on his way moving out to North Carolina. It almost seemed like it would bring an end to our friendship when it really made us stronger. I remember all of our never ending Aim conversations. I swear we've had the same running conversation for years straight because would talk on aim every single day. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
What was this long ass aim conversation about? Just about anything and everything under the sun until he FINALLY came back up to NYC and we got to hang out. I was super hyped! I think my most memorable time with his has to be once when we were in downtown brooklyn trying to think of something to have for lunch and I told him they just opened a checkers. The way his face lit up when I said that replays in my mind every so often and I don't know is just his face was so happy and excited like the innocence of a child.
Anyway. Who is he to me? My brother. We have out little squabbles like siblings. If I had to pick one of my friends to be my older brother it would be him because of his brotherly "I'm going to look after you and protect you" side that easily gets flipped to the "LULz you need to go get hooked on phonics! Imma get you that for your birthday". He means everything a blood sibling could mean to me. Giving each other advice on relationships and just listening to each others problems. Hes one of those friends I can count on no matter the distance.
Although college has come along and diminished our talking time quite a bit, he still comes out to the city sometimes just to chill out and chat. Its like aim in person, but better because he can see me laugh at his laneness and we can hug and makeup right away.
So maybe it was fate that I went to Australia that year. Otherwise, I'd be short one necessary male influence.
I love this piece!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSharif really is such a great guy. And GIRL, how could you forget to mention how many your close friends now, myself included, also befriended him that day you introduced him to us! It's just amazing to me how you always seem to meet the coolest people, and even more amazing how eager and kind you always are to introduce them to us. Perhaps you just know all along how well we'd also bond with Sharif. And now, I am also so proud and thankful to call him my buddy! I'm sure Jon, Nat, Dom, others in our "middle school group," and even Thad, could also say the same.
I agree with you when you say that Sharif does have a kind heart, and even though he moved to NC, it was always cool how you guys kept in touch. I also love Sharif's sense of humor and the fact that I've been able to guess "where he got that shirt...!"