Everyone once in a while you’ll form a friendship with a person that will shape you. It may begin with a friendship circle; a bunch of people will form around you because of your bond. This is what took place with Jeremy and I. What started out as a friendship of the two of us. More people would gather around us and become friends, creating an entourage of familiar folks. But my bond with Jeremy is so much more special beyond the circle of friends it created.
Of the two of us, Jeremy was always the smart one. A man that excelled in education, and always got grades at the top of his class. Me, on the other, could barely tread water. I was a notorious trouble-maker and horrible academically. However, we always just clicked. Jeremy has a way about him that makes you feel at ease and welcomed when you’re around him. It doesn’t matter your situation or background, he’s always willing to give friendship a chance. For someone that truly values friendship this has always meant a lot. Even when we had our entourage it was clear we had a great relationship separate from it. We were always just at ease with each other.
But in life, curveballs always come into play. When we were in about 8th grade, Jeremy switched schools. Although this fractured our group dynamic, Jeremy and I remained friends. True, we didn’t see each other as much, but we made it work.
It wasn’t until we went to different colleges that we would truly separate, but we reunited during the pandemic after years of seperation. It wasn’t as seamless as I would’ve preferred; I was still a bit manic and definitely coming off a little crazy looking back. Once again though, no judgement. He took it in stride, we stayed in contact and have seen each other multiple times since.
Jeremy has taught me a great lesson in life that we should all abide by. The classic judge ye unless ye be judged mantra. Every single one of us are just people going through the motions of life in different ways. Jeremy has shown me just because your differences are so profound doesn’t mean you’re a bad individual. Instead, live by the creedo of Jeremy Lessing. The gentle giant.