Three days from today, January 14 2009, I will leave my house at the butt crack of the dawn and drive to Alfonse M. D’Amato U. S. Courthouse in Central Islip, NY to take the oath of U.S. Citizenship. When I got the letter of appointment for it, I announced it on Plurk and many people congratulated me and were proud. What happened afterwards completely floored me.

One of my friends on Plurk, topsurf, wanted to come with me to the courthouse to be there and share the joyful moment with me if she could manage her schedule at work and at home. And then two other friends also expressed their wish to be there with me, germaine and NewYorkJew. I wouldn’t have been THAT surprised by these kind and generous offers if they lived in Long Island, even in NYC. But topsurf lives in Pennsylvania about 4 hour drive away, germaine lives in New Hampshire about 5 hour drive away, and NewYorkJew lives in upstate New York about 3 hours drive away, according to google map, which means during the rush hour you add a coupe of more hours. I was humbled by these amazing people and their offer of great friendship.

But germaine has to go to court that day and so she is not able to come. NewYorkJew could stay with his fiancee in NYC the night before. topsurf was still trying to make it happen trying to arrange her schedule. She made me absolutely speechless. But the other day, she called me on the phone, apologizing profusely that it turned out she couldn’t make it after all because of her obligations at work and at home. I told her that I was relieved. Even though I really do want to meet topsurf in person, I had been worried she would have to drive so much fighting NYC traffic during rush hour, attend the ceremony, and drive right back without having time to sit down and talk. All on account of me. She is one of the most caring, kind and loving people I’ve met online AND in real life, and I look forward to meeting her in July, when she comes to NYC on vacation.

Another reason I’m thankful is that I was able to torture my friends around me with Some people I met only online want to come and congratulate me and share the moment, what’s YOUR excuse? what have YOU ever done for me? and so on. It gives me endless unspeakable pleasure to do that to my friends, you know.

Then yesterday, a bunch of beautiful flowers were delivered. Even before I read the card, I had a feeling it was from topsurf, and I was right. I cannot express with words how thankful I am to have made such a caring and loving friend online. She makes me want to try to be kinder and to love more and to love better. Thank you, topsurf. You make me want to be a better friend. I will strive to be worthy of your friendship.