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Sarasota News Leader May 31, 2013 OPINION Page 67 MY FRIEND, BRIAN By Harriet Cuthbert Contributing Writer COMMENTARY What is a friend? This is a question that can never be answered with one definition. To call someone your friend is to offer a personal interpretation of what you value in another person. Brian Trench was my dear friend. I only interacted with him in his position at the post office at Davidson's Drugs in Siesta Village, but the little physical distance between us as he stood behind his counter, did not matter at all. Brian had a phenomenal memory and enjoyed connecting with people and chatting about whatever stories they shared with him. He had the art of listening down pat. My friendship with Brian blossomed in the same way as many others did. It began with the usual small talk, grew to cover family stories, and finally evolved into the sharing of personal information between two good friends. I could not go into the drugstore without running down to say a quick hello to him. I absolutely had to tell him what little gifts we were mailing off to my granddaughter, and I waited for his smile and good wishes. He enjoyed looking at our family photos and always wished me well in my writing and travels. I miss Brian so much. In his own quiet way, with his warm smile and dry sense of humor, Brian was a unique and wonderful friend. He never asked for anything in return — just a friendly greeting and a little small talk were all he ever needed. Editor's note: Brian Trench passed away on May 17 after a long career as the Siesta Village "postmaster." Memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238 or to Sarasota Orchestra, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236 Attn: Development Office. % LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Sarasota News Leader welcomes letters to the editor from its readers. Letters should be no more than 300 words in length, and include the name, street address and telephone number of the writer. Letters should be emailed to Letters@SarasotaNewsLeader.com, with "Letter to the Editor" in the subject line. Letters actually printed will be selected based on space available, subject matter and other factors. We reserve the right to edit any letters submitted for length, grammar, spelling, etc. All letters submitted become the property of The Sarasota News Leader.