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I remember the day I met Zo.
It was in March of 1985. A day pretty much like most others – me possessing a habit of my own that was most likely going to either kill me or destroy some part of my life.
I had heard about Zo before I met him. I had heard that he had helped many people like me & that if I asked – he’d help me as well. So, I was at that point in life, where I had nothing to lose & everything to gain by meeting someone willing to help. I was willing to ask for help.
Our 1st meeting went like this: I brought nothing to the meeting, other than a mess, and Zo brought everything needed to help me deal with it. There was nothing loud or outstanding about him. But, I knew, just like others had said, he was there for no other agenda than to help me. I started out telling him the worst things about me & figured if he was willing to stay through, & after, that – he was most likely willing to stay through the rest of it.
Stay he did. Not only stay, it was obvious that anytime I would share my worst with him, he never wavered. Ever. They say you can tell a lot about a person’s eyes. If that’s true, & I think it is to some degree, Zo’s eyes never had anything other than that look of “I really care” in them. Actually full of love would be most correct. His eyes never had the look of disgust…anger…being offended…etc. His eyes always stayed focused intently on me, while listening to the stories…the messes…the life I was trying to change. I’ll never forget his eyes…ever.
Anyway. Zo’s help was both immediate & progressive. There were some things that he helped me with immediately. Looking back at it, I realize that the things he immediately helped me with – were the ones most likely to mess my life up. The progressive things, they were the things that one wants to change anyway. I’m sure he knew that too. So, the less destructive things took a back seat to the real stuff that had me bound.
He knew. That’s what it felt like when talking to Zo. It was like he had been there in some way & could relate to the hurts I was sharing. I can’t picture Zo being anything like I was, but it seemed like he knew what it felt like when I would talk about certain things in my life.
Weird. That’s also how it felt. Weird, but in a good way. It’s that weird you feel when you meet someone for the 1st time, yet it feels like you have known them all you life. That’s how it felt – always. The 1st time we met, felt like we had known each other for a lot longer. Actually, what it felt like was Zo knew all about me & I somehow felt that what I learned about Zo, I had known all along as well. Like 2 people that could completely relate – though they had never talked before.
I’m grateful for meeting Zo that day in 1985.
I’m grateful for the friend Zo has become in my life.
I’m grateful that, when I was in need of a real friend – Zo stepped in & became that friend.
I’ve never had a brother – but I imagine, if I did, I couldn’t be any closer to him than I am to Zo.
Zo, a friend closer than a brother.
peace.
b
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Tell me, when you were going through the hardest time in your life. When it seemed like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Attacks coming back to back to back and you can’t get to the surface for air, drowning, crying…how did you keep “Zo” close? I know he is there through it all, but how did you keep a smile on your face? How did you pray during that time? How do you come out on the other side closer to Him? I know that trials are put in our lives to create character and a full reliance on God, but what do you do when you don’t know what to do?????
I’m not sure I can answer that with a reply. But I do know this – you don’t keep Zo – Zo keeps you. If it were the other way around, I’d have lost that friendship a long time ago. Also, I know this – Zo always knows how & when to speak in ways that makes most sense personally. Don’t look at a day – look at a month…quarter…year. It helps to have/keep a bigger perspective. Thanks for asking/sharing.
B & S