A Little Help From Our Friends

“I want you to take my job,” my buddy said.

My response was very eloquent: “You whaaaa?…”

Let’s back up for a second. An old friend of mine had recently accepted a new gig, getting him out of a real hell-hole. He’d been working his ass off at the old place to get his young family on their feet, putting in crazy hours on even crazier requests, simply to keep a check coming in the door. His new job was going to be more money, less hours, and a shorter commute. Life was looking pretty sweet for his near future. And then he had to go and chat with me.

I’d been coming up to the end of a contract that had been “sure to renew”, until it wasn’t. I was in a world of family and financial hurt if I couldn’t figure it out in short order. I was lamenting my troubles with him, which left him worried for a friend. Less than 24 hours later, he called me to tell me he wanted me to take his new gig. I was floored by his generosity, but told him I absolutely couldn’t accept. Knowing I’d say so, he informed me he’d already told the new gig about me.

Fortunately, this story has a pretty happy-for-everyone ending. We both got jobs there, and were lucky to work together for years. But I never forgot the gesture he made to keep me and mine safe. Humbling. I am forever in his debt.

I’ve been very lucky over the years. Yesterday, I was chatting with a friend who was crucial to helping me succeed in my early years as a writer. I was wishing him a happy birthday, and giving thanks that he’d helped me fan those flames. Yet another soul who went miles out of his way for me when I’m not sure I’d done much of anything to earn it, though he’d argue it was exactly the opposite. Over the last few months, it’s been both terrifying and amazing to have life strip away a ton of what was unimportant, and boil things down to those who are at the very top of each of our lists. Sometimes, having the support of those you have shared those joys, trials, and moments with is the crucial thing that gets you past the toughest times.

The stars who dot the Denver sports landscape are no exception to the rule, and it’s often their teammates, family, front line workers, and fans on their minds in the same way:

I miss my teammates aint nothing like those locker room laughs i swear ???

— Gary Harris (@thats_G_) May 6, 2020

Missing it. ⁣
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Thinking of you Avs nation! Hope you’re doing well and staying safe. ⁣⁣
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We’ll be back. https://t.co/GskqsITlTv

— Gabriel Landeskog (@GabeLandeskog92) April 4, 2020

Always thinking of #TheRealHeroes like our dear friend Lori De La Torre. Thank you for your bravery and sacrifice to help keep everyone safe and healthy. We love you! @lori_delatorre https://t.co/JI3KPX456H

— Trevor Story (@Tstory2) May 8, 2020

Join us for #GivingTuesday!

Now more than ever, we want to continue to help and impact the youth who have been involved in our programs.

Donate here: https://t.co/AW7tmL2GMD pic.twitter.com/YEg6rS36rZ

— Chubb Foundation (@ChubbFoundation) May 5, 2020

I miss it, @nuggets. pic.twitter.com/lp0PRIQwOP

— Katy Winge (@katywinge) May 18, 2020

And on. It didn’t take long to find a handful of examples, as when look at any of the social media for Denver players, organizations, and media, you’ll quickly stumble across the emotions touching us all in this moment. How much they are missing their friends, fans, fields, and normalcy. The desire to return to normalcy builds daily. With three of Denver’s Fab Four major sports chomping at the bit to get started or re-started on their seasons, an end does seem to be in sight for this pining for one another for all of us. We all got by with a little help from our friends.