Friendship+Love

Some people in my life doubt the existence of my friend Smoggy‎. They don't think he is real. But he is! For the boys, he is a legend! As with most legends, there are always stories to tell.

Here is a Smoggy story...more like a story in which Smoggy made a special appearance...and he is not even aware of ‎all these special appearances he makes in the lives of the boys!

The other day, we were in the car and Craigley was talking about when he was a young boy and was in the school choir. He mentioned how he wasn't a good singer and preferred to be at the very back of the group. Unfortunately, he would be dragged to the very front because of his height; but then he would be promptly sent back as soon as he was heard!

The boys had a good laugh and it could have ended there; however, Craigley mentioned Smoggy and his singing. The boys wouldn't give up till I shared that story!

Smoggy and I would work late hours often. For both of us, it was our first job and we were young. We did not mind putting in the long hours. ‎Sometimes Smoggy would whistle an old tune and we would work away merrily! One day, for whatever reason, Smoggy burst into a song. He actually sang for the first time ever in my presence. 

And what did I do? I said something like, "no wonder you whistle"!

And what did Smoggy do?‎ He enrolled himself in vocal lessons!

At this point in the story, ASid exclaimed, "He must have been in love with you mom!" I corrected him, "Not in love with me, but loves me for sure"!

‎When I look back, I am not sure if I ever apologized properly to Smoggy! But he never brought it up as an episode in our lives where I scarred him forever! In fact, he was very excited to share that the first song they sang in his vocal class was a song from my favourite movie! He gave me 3 guesses; I guessed "Do Re Mi", "My Favourite Things" and "The Sound of Music"! It was "Edelweiss"!

At this point in time, the boys were like "wow mom! How couldn't you guess that?"; Craigley was like "poor Smoggy!"; and I was like singing the song! It is always wonderful to recall memories from the past; moments spent with people I love. It is occasionally a teachable moment for me and a learning moment for the boys.

I hope the boys can one day meet Smoggy and hear the other side of the stories I share with them. Meanwhile, I hope they are never that harsh to a friend they love and I hope they have friends as loving and forgiving as mine.‎