The first time I met Nicole and her husband Dr. Edward Puodziukas was when my late wife Judy volunteered my services to repair a phone at their residence in Mississauga. “No one can fix it,” she explained. “Nicole needs her kitchen phone!” Still newly-wed, naturally I indulged my wife’s plea.
A visit time was arranged and off we went, tools in hand. Judy and Nicole had become fast friends at work, and it would be the first time I would meet her and the ‘Doctor’. (Women are impressed with titles, sigh!) But it was Judy’s time to ‘show off’ her hubby’s technical savvy. She believed I could fix anything. Nothing like a little pressure, I say!
Nicole welcomed us to her home noting Dr. Ed was still at work and would join us later. I put on my technician’s hat and went about checking wiring. Sometime later the ‘unfixable’ phone was repaired, and the ‘Doctor’ had arrived home.
My initial impression of Dr. Edward Puodziukas was that of awe: he wore his silver, thick, well-coiffed hair, slicked back like a movie star. Not shiny with Brylcreem (‘a little dab will do ya’ hair cream), more natural looking. His gait was that of a professional man, relaxed, his style well-dressed with clean, manicured fingernails. Quite the opposite of me that day. Compared to him I looked like a gorilla!
We shook hands and briefly discussed the phone issue. No big deal, I said. He was soft spoken, and genuinely appreciated my troubleshooting ability. He offered me money but I suggested we all play golf instead. He agreed. After a time, we all retreated to the backyard, enjoyed a cold beverage and said our goodbyes. Nice people, I told my wife. She was beaming.
A few weeks later Ed and Nicole invited the two of us to play golf on a hot day in July. Relaxed, with no one keeping score. Perfect! We hugged and shook hands at the end, vowing to meet again soon.
Time went by and the following April my wife asked if we could join Ed and Nicole for my birthday celebration. Judy had asked me the same question the year before and I said no, I preferred just the two of us.
“I know they’re nice people, but why those two?” I muttered, annoyed at being asked the same question again, a year later.
“I may have forgotten to mention something important,” Judy replied, “It’s also Ed’s birthday.”
“No kidding,” I said pleasantly surprised. “Why didn’t you say so?!”
I could hardly contain my glee when we met Ed and Nicole for the first of many joint birthday celebrations. Ed was older, but it didn’t matter. We greeted each other like playmates in early primary school:
“EDDY!”
“JOHNNY!”
We hugged, shook hands, and bonded in a moment that was etched in both of our hearts. We laughed and toasted to the friendship that began that day. A friendship that would last a lifetime. So many happy memories, birthday celebrations and calls together. Our special day, Eddy!
Today I am saddened because I miss my friend.
My condolences to Nicole, her immediate and extended families.
Dr. Liudas Edward Puodziukas was a medical professional with an outstanding career, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and brother-in-law, friend to many. I was lucky enough to be called his friend, and he mine. Birthday buddies.
I hope sometime I will meet my friend Eddy again, in the play yard, knowing he’s saving a swing for me.
