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Dear Ellis,

Sup bae!

Hi bud!

Hey my man…

Errr… Hello!?

You know, greetings are funny things when you think about it? It’s like:

“Other human! I wish to acknowledge your presence, whilst simultaneously entering into an interaction with you - whereby you also acknowledge my presence and then the exchange will being, once we establish our mutual acknowledgment.”

Nevertheless, I’ve always found your greetings to be warm and welcoming. I didn’t think much of it, until now. Thinking back to moments where I was struggling with self-deprecation, comparison, judgement or the classic cynicism that comes with being British - a warm smile coupled with a man-hug always seemed to lift me somehow? Perhaps that’s an innate characteristic of yours? Perhaps it’s a God-given gift that I simply get to appreciate? Regardless… I want you to know that it’s something that I really admire and value.

“We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.” – Mother Teresa

As your friend, there have certainly been times when a smile was enough — and when it wasn’t, the simple fact that you were there seemed to cover it. I never want to take our friendship for granted. It’s strange — the distance — in that, it started out with 36 miles but has grown into weeks & months. Still… as strange as it may be for me to say it: I look forward to the smiling days again.

I’m hoping there are others, in your life, whose day is brightened by your smile. I hope that there are strangers who know joy, because they’ve seen it on your face. In your every day exchanges with the cashier, the boss or the bin man — I hope that you remember to smile.

And when that fails… flip ‘em off and get on with your day!

See you soon, mate. Jt