It's been good.

I was discussing with a friend today about something that I had been trying to write and was having issues.  I wasn't entirely sure how to start it, but this is a great way:



Through all my trials, all the lessons I have learned, and now that I am currently retired, learned that friends mean the world to me.  During some of my lowest times, I would go to work, work all morning, go to lunch with a group, eat lunch, drive back, work the afternoon, and arrive back at my apartment without speaking a single word unless directly spoken to, and then sometimes, not even then.

But, I had a few folks that stood back and watched, observed, let me work it out, stood by me, protected me from myself, and then helped me when I was ready for a little help.  Some of those people that 'helped' me through that specific time are, and will continue to be, friends that are, well, mine.  My friends.  Some of the best on this planet, in fact.

And I say this not because I need something from them everytime I contact them; I contact them because I want to.  I have standing social lunch dates on specific days; I have friends that I drive forever to see; I have friends I meet for certain weekly events; I have friends that I just enjoy.  For them.  For who they are.  To listen to them.  Sometimes with sensitive information or news that they have chosen to share. And I share my news as well, because I want their take.  Their opinion.  I'm interested in their lives; and maybe they have interest in mine.  Maybe it makes their life better.

One of the reasons I chose to being this blog, is that I seem to have more intellectual conversations nowdays.  Some of that may be the fact that I have the guts to ask the next question.  And keep asking it.  Or maybe I've learned that my friends have a special, very important point of view.  Theirs.  Most of them have, frankly, profound things to share.  I feel satisifed; fufilled; enlightened; learned.  Maybe some of what I've learned from my friends will make your life better.

Sister is moving.  To Colorado.  Two days from now.  I have been here for over a decade.  She is my family here.  People have asked me why I still live here, why I haven't considered moving closer to Dad, or moving wherever.  The fact is that I haven't really considered it.  And now that my Sister is moving to Colorado, where I bike ride in the summer and ski in the winter, do I consider the move?  Not really.  At least not yet.  Maybe when I haven't seen my niece and nephew in some time; maybe when it becons and calls me someday too strong to ignore..... who knows?  What will the future bring?  Heaven knows.  But I know why I'm here and enjoy life....enjoying the relationships I have here, with my many, many friends.  They are my life.  They make my life better.  Far better. 

There was a time in my past when I did not cherish my friends.  I lost my focus.  Without knowing, it just happened.  Without my approval.  I just woke up one day and realized that I was apart from them.  So I began to recall; began to mend.  Began to find and show them why they were my friends and how I missed them. I bought season tickets with one.  Called others.  Fortunately, friends forgive.  Mine did.  I still have the tickets, and now am surrounded with others that have become my friends.  It makes my football games better.

I was recently reminded how important my friends are.  I had someone that didn't understand that.  In retrospect, it is unfortunate that this person had signinficant issues with every one of my friends.  Every one.  Fortunately, my friends are my friends for reasons:  Some are assholes.  Some are geeks. Some are whiny.  Some are young, some old, some stupid, some not. Some are funny; some look funny; some smell funny.  But they are my friends for some reason, and I keep all of them in my life because I want them there.  To make my life better.  And they do.  Every one.  Every single last smelly, stupid looking one.  Even Lars.

It's been good to be with friends.  And, it will absolutely, undoubtedly continue to be.  And I won't trade them for anything, won't trade a single one.  Ever.

This week I'm headed to Colorado to help Sister move.  Guess that is what little Brothers do.  I'm meeting some friends I met last summer there riding bike.  I couldn't wait to see them again, to ride with them again, to just enjoy pleasant, good, outstanding times with them, to enjoy life.  So, I'm not. I'm gonna ski with them before I ride with them again; I'm seeing them in a week.  And I can't wait. Really.  Life is just better that way sometimes.

Here's to friends:  Thanks. For Everything. Really.