THERE are some friends will stay in your life forever and there are some who enter you life only for a brief moment, to make an impact and in a flash their gone.

I was lucky to have such a person and looking back I sometimes can't believe he was ever real. Over the years friends come and go. Some friendships are meant to last and some will change your life. I have been very fortunate to have such a friend. When I was 18, I had a horrific accident which kept in bed for months.

I lived in an apartment building with other kids my age and my closest friend lived downstairs with her parents, brother and sister.

After the accident, her family were remarkable, offering support to my family and myself. Her brother was 21 and while he and I were not close, we got along well.

From day one he came to hospital and took my hand and promised me everything would be okay. The kind, warm and caring look in his eyes instantly made me feel better. For the next couple months of my slow and painful recovery, he never left my bedside. He came to the hospital everyday. He got his colleagues at work-whom I have never met-to send me well wishers. He was there when I got home, he brought me home, carried me up the stairs and put me in my bed. He never missed a doctor's appointment and teated my wounds. Taking his time and with a caring touch, cleaned my wounds.

He would sit at my bed for hours, talking to me about life and everything else. He was patient and encouraging when I all wanted to do was curl into a ball and lick my wounds.

When I had healed he was gone. Gone back to his own life. I was devastated. I missed him. and I was angry. He forced me to back to university when I thought it was hopeless.

Today he's married to wonderful woman and they have two beautiful daughters. I have my life and he has his. It's been 12 years since the accident and I'm strong and determined. I have new friends and still have some of the old one but no one has ever come close to him.

We hardly see or speak to each other but I will never forget him. A few months ago I ran into him at the petrol garage. He looked the same. The same heart-warming smile and kind eyes.

We hugged and after a short catch-up conversation he told he he was proud of me and that he knew I was strong enough to do anything. Many people have sung my praises but it never meant as much to me as it did coming from him. I remember a feeling of completeness in that moment. I finally felt like I had arrived.I had made my friend proud. I haven't thanked him because I don't know how to. How do you thank someone that started as an acquaintance and became your rock when your life was hanging by a thread? I don't think you can. All you can do is make them proud of you and I hope it's enough.

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