You never know the impact you have on the lives of others, even those who may have seemed like another ship passing in the night at the time.

 When I decided to go to college when I was 24, I found out that one of the kids I hired to work in the place where I was working had decided to go to the same school. I still needed a place to live in this college town and he decided to go with me to look for apartments even though he was all set to live in the dorms. Well, in the end we rented a house along with a friend of his.

 It was his first time away from home and he seldom had money. I fronted his rent and share of the utilities from time to time even though I didn't have much money. I got him a job near the college where I was working. We hung out together a lot. He saw me at my best and at my drunken worst.

 He eventually graduated and went off to a successful career in another part of the state. He married and divorced. We kept in touch and got together once or twice a year. He met a new girl and married her. He has two brothers and more friends than anyone I know but he asked me to be his best man. That was quite an honor, but nothing compared to what was to come.

 A year later his wife was pregnant. They found out they were having a boy. They asked me to be their son's godfather, but that was nothing compared to what was to come. They named him after me. I still get emotional thinking about it.
 
 My namesake turns four this weekend and I can't wait to see him. I never thought I was that good at being a friend, but you just never know.