One Hero of Many

Vic is my oldest friend.
She's not old, but our friendship is old.
We met our first day in Panama, May 1984. The reason I mention her is that she taught me the most important lesson about all relationships and it is this:
Your behavior does not dictate mine. Your behavior does not dictate mine. You behavior does not dictate mine!!
It's so simple, yet a physical rule that changes every interaction. It is not just a rule, it's a practice.
She is also my hero because when a beloved uncle tried to teach her about trust as a child by asking her to jump into his arms, and then dropping her!! She learned a little about trust, but a great deal about truth. She has never once tolerated a lie and she has a pretty hearty intuition when she is being lied to. Her children can surely attest to that.
Because truth is sometimes a very slippery subject for me, I look to her for that solid ground.
Love you, Girl...