Through the years I have made many friends. I am still friends with people who I met as a child and a teenager and do my best to keep in touch. As an adult I continued to build friendships, usually with co-workers. I have so many wonderful friends who I love and appreciate. I feel that each of them has contributed something, in their own special way, to mold and shape me into the man that I am today.
I wanted to write a blog on my most recent friendship and how it has affected my life. I first met Dominic Efferson at the Times-Standard when he was hired back in February of this year. Within a few weeks we had developed a friendship and I was quickly drawn to his great sense of humor and unique personality. We went out to lunch a few times and I discoverd that Dom posessed many of the qualities that I find admirable in a person. He was always encouraging, non-judgemental, humble and kind. Dom was friendly to everybody he came into contact with and never knew a stranger. It seemed like anytime we were out anywhere he would run into somebody he knew.
Dom kept asking me to go to the gym with him on lunch, just to give it a try. I had never done anything like this before and finally agreed. I found that I enjoyed working out with my buddy and decided to join the gym at Power-N-Fitness. It became a regular part of the day, something that I came to look forward to. Dom was always giving me a high 5 and a "Great Job!". He made it fun and cheered me on, pushing me out of my comfort zone, but in a way that made me feel good about myself.
We began to develope a close bond, and Dom was always giving of himself. He would often bring me a banana, a power bar or a protein drink. He was always sharing with me and was one of the most giving people I had ever met. It became quite obvious to me that Dom didn't care about things, he cared about people.
When I first met Dom, he already had an established group of close friends. But still he made room for me in his life. This friendship was different than so many others I have had in the past because it wasn't always me doing the inviting. There were many times that Dom made the initiative and invited me to do something with him. Dom always returned my phone calls, answered my emails, subscribed to my blog and actually read it! He was everything that I had ever looked for in a friend and I was truly happy being his buddy.
Dominic was such a big kid. He reminded me of Tom Hanks in "Big", a little boy trapped in a man's body. I have never met another person who was so in love with life, who was so excited about his next adventure as Dom. I will never forget the day we took a road trip up to Klamath and Brookings. Dom took his skateboard and we stopped at a couple of skate parks. Dom just got right in with the kids and started skating, daring them to do tricks and cheering them on. I couldn't help but laugh, he was having so much fun.
Dom announced in the beginning of August that he was going to be moving to Hawaii to live with his brother. I was happy for him, but to be honest, the news hit me pretty hard. This friendship was something that I valued highly and I did not want to think about what life would be like after Dom left.
The weekend came before Dom left Humboldt County and I was able to spend time with him before he left. He made sure that I was invited to every party, every dinner and event that led up to his departure. Dom made me feel special right up to the end.
Saying farewell to Dominic was the most difficult "Goodbye" I have ever had to endure. I miss my buddy terribly. It has been nearly two weeks and there is still an emptiness in my heart. Dom was such a special friend to me. When you develope a friendship like this, it changes you. I will never be the same person I was before I met Dominic Efferson.
I wish you the best Dom. Enjoy your time with your family and friends and have a safe trip to Hawaii. I hope to see you again someday soon. Until then - High 5 buddy!
