The Higgins Clan

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
George Washington

Rob and I love these people! They are, every one of them, fun, smart, kind, and, oh yes, odd as odd gets...and we love it. Rob came to know them when he took a job at American Industrial Supply in the late 90's. The owner, Ned Higgins, was wildly unpredictable and moody and Rob would come home in those first few months and wonder what he had gotten into. However, as the months went by, he came to appreciate Ned's wacky tirades and would make us all laugh with his imitation of him. Ned is a generous man with a huge heart, but I'm sure he wouldn't want a soul to know it. During Rob's tenure at AIS, another loon came into the office. Betsy Wilkes and Rob shared an office...just the two of them. Even though I have been lucky enough to come to know her as one of my closest friends in the universe, Rob always reminds me that they were friends first. Betsy brought to light some of the office peculiarities...such as a woman who would put her hands down the back of her pants and then touch the office donuts. They both say that their keeping company in that one office kept them laughing hard everyday (I will have a tribute to Betsy all her own one day). Ryan was always working out of the office, but we had many after work gatherings that revealed him to be just as fun and witty as the rest. I certainly would say he is the most emotionally even and grounded of the brood. So loving, you just want to squeeze him non-stop. Sean and Rob were thick as thieves. You could always find them in one another's company. They went to lunch virtually everyday together and knew every intimate detail of each others lives...from business dealings to women to work out strategies. Sean is a character unlike anyone I know. Strong and determined and also very kind. I was fortunate enough to come to know and love each one of them through Rob and our many nights out (and in). There is never a dull moment...always a fun story to tell...endless inspiration of drive and hope. They all operate on the "just do it" mentality...the "Higgins way", Rob and I call it. They are open, courageous and giving and we feel very lucky to know and share in the lives (ups and downs) of these wonderful people.