A Thank You

People come into our lives for many reasons. But only a very few are meant to be more than a friend…..I call this kind of person a family-friend.

This letter of thanks is dedicated to my best friend Maike Height. It’s my way of thanking her for all she has done—helping without being asked, any time, through all the years…tirelessly giving her support…dedicating whatever was needed to our friendship. It’s not saying too much to say she has kept me going.

She gave me something far more than friendship—a feeling of belonging, a sense of being wanted by her and her family. So many times she gave me the strength to stay strong and focused.

Maike and I met many, many years ago (I will not give a year)… I met her at a party one of my friends had organized. She was new in this country and came here to be an intern in her father’s company. We hit if off right away, and our friendship blossomed as time passed. With all the activities we both had going on, we were able to share all the fun and excitement at that time together. Being alone here in the USA, and not having support from a family—my relationship with my family is rocky at best—I found in her friendship what I had been missing.

Though I was married at that time, and despite my requests, my husband did not participate in all the fun activities. So over a period of time we became estranged, and eventually our marriage fell apart. In that difficult time Maike was always there for me, helping whenever and however it was needed. It was not an easy time—I was dealing with too many issues even to list. She was there to keep pushing me forward on the path to progress.

Eventually she met the man she would marry and moved to California, where they had a child. Even with the distance and all of my traveling, we kept in regular contact—keeping our friendship as close as ever.

Maike, too, was having her own ups and downs. Sharing our troubles just brought us closer together. Eventually I stopped touring and was thrilled to learn one day that she was returning to Chicago with her family. I was more than excited—I was ecstatic!

Once they were living here again, they gave me a gift you can’t buy with money or trade for possessions. In simple words, they gave me love and family. Her family became my family, and her son is my son. I love him dearly.

I’ve encountered some very difficult situations in my life. I know with certainty, if I did not have her in my life, I would not be where I am now. I could have not made it without her. She is the ultimate friend—caring, supportive, understanding. Her friendship is the most precious gift I have ever been given.

My wish for her for Christmas is that she may be blessed with health, success, and all the love in the world. She deserves the Gold Medal of love and friendship! I hope that we may we be able to share our golden years together.

Written by Beatrice Davis

December 2007