I just had a phone call from a dear old friend of mine – a Mr. Arron J Lindsey – from Kent, currently studying Art Design in Stoke University. He was drunk, but his reason for calling me was because he needed someone to talk to. In his own words, he said he needed his “Doctor” – aka, me.
The term Doctor is derived not from the medical profession, but from that very same Time Lord (Doctor Who) that goes whizzing off through time and space in a silly little blue box; righting wrongs, fighting monsters and making people see the better in themselves. The term means something along the lines of “noble, trustworthy and wise friend”. Not that I’m very wise.
I certainly don’t travel through time and space in a blue box. BUT, I do have a habit of stepping into people’s lives and trying to make order.
“It has become a fact, Jamie… that I do tend to get involved in things”
Patrick Troughton: the 2nd Doctor
There was a time when I would interfere outrightly in the affairs of other people; when their domestics and individual lives had turned to darkness and despair, I’d step in and try to calm things. Indeed, that is how I’ve met quite a number of my family of friends. I know what it is to be alone and afraid. I know what it’s like when you don’t fit in because you’re different, and a dark place it is too.
So, I tried to help. Tried to connect to people. The title of Doctor comes under the category of ‘special friend’. Maybe even your best friend. The person you can talk to and trust and share secrets and problems with and never feel the fool. The person who takes a shitty day and makes you smile and laugh. And they do it because they want to. Not because they have to.
We ‘Doctors’ live by a moral code. What do we do? We take people who don’t believe in themselves and we push them, challenge them, into standing up for what they dream about. We encourage, inspire, and we don’t stop till they’re on their feet and marching towards that end goal, full of self confidence and drive.
Telling someone you believe in them and have faith in them is all it takes to get them started. Giving them a bond of friendship that is stronger than any other keeps them going. Then before you know it, they’re off on their own adventures, doing the same to everyone else.
We’re always solving people’s troubles, even for random people we don’t even know – although nothing is truly random; everything happens for a reason. We are all destined for greatness; we just need the right friends to get us there. We’re trustworthy people. Men of honour. It is our duty to make your day just that little more special by making you feel special as yourself. All the antics of a good friend.
I’ve become ‘Doctor’ to so many a people over the years. I’ve even lost count. And the perks of the job? People miss you most of all. You make a difference to the world around you. (And the truth is we make the best boyfriends, because we’re bloody fantastic lol)
Will I ever stop?
NEVER! XD
To all those who I’ve inspired and pushed forward, I salute you and love you. And I’m very proud of you all =)
John Hutch 