Green hills above the northern wall,
White water winding east of the city.
On this spot our single act of parting,
The lonely tumbleweed journeys ten thousand li.
Drifting clouds echo the traveller’s thoughts,
The setting sun reflects my old friend’s feelings.
You wave your hand and set off from this place,
Your horse whinnies as it leaves.
Ever been trapped at a watch party where everyone’s cheering for the team you can’t stand—and your team is getting clobbered like a piñata at a toddler’s birthday? I have. And I brought an exit strategy so slick, the CIA is jealous.
Here’s part of the conversation I had with my friend. There will be somethings I was thinking but did not say to my friend. I will put these thoughts in parentheses.
My friend: “Yes! Yes! Yes! Touchdown.”
Me: (One yes would have been sufficient). That was a good pass.”
My friend: “You’ve got no defense. We can do this play all day.”
Me: (I’m not play, fool, nor are you. We’re only spectators). Hopefully, they’ll make an adjustment at half time.
My friend: “I’m not worried. Our coach is best in the country.”
Me: (What excuse can I make to leave at half time.). “He’s good, maybe the pros will snap him up.”
My Friend: “I don’t think they can. He loves beating you guys. I hope we try an on side kick.. The more points the better.”
Me: (I’d like to try an onside kick against the side of your head. I know what I’ll do. I’ll text my daughter my secret word. She’ll call me and I’ll say I have a family emergiency. E A G L E, send).
My friend: “What are you doing with your iPhone?”
Me: “Checking out the other scores. Hey, it looks like we’re about to score.” (Please, please, please answer my secret word).
My friend: “No way, we’re too good on defense. Is that your phone?”
Me: “That’s my daughter’s ringtone. I’ll only take a second. Let me know what happens. “Hello. No. No. Uh huh. I can’t believe it. Okay, I’m on it. (I owe you one, Angie). “Sorry, family emergency. I”ve got to run. This was fun. Thanks for inviting me. We’ll have to do it again .”(Not in my lifetime).
It started with a coffee and ended with me rethinking my entire wish list and maybe my life. My friend casually drops, “What do you want for your birthday—money’s no object.” And just like that, I went from sipping espresso to mentally redecorating my villa in Tuscany.
I laughed and replied , “How much can you afford.”
My friend replied, “Tell me what you want and I’ll tell you if I can afford it.”
I’ve not had this type of offer before. I said, “You are serious. Did a long lost relative die and leave you a bundle?”
My friends says, “Yes. My uncle died. He didn’t have any children. I was the closest of relatives to him and he left me everything.”
I’m really curious now so I ask, “How much did you get?” I’m feeling my envy gene wanting to be scratched.
My friend says, “After probate and taxes I’ll get two million dollars.”
I’m stunned. My friend hit the lottery and didn’t buy a ticket. My mind starts to wander. I see myself in Hawaii and instantly I’m on a gondola in Venice, then I’m eating tapas in Madrid.
My friend interrupts my reverie, “Well/”
My problem, I’m not sure what I really want, there are so many options. “Can I think about it?” I ask.
“The offer stands, Ray. Let me know.”
What would I ask for? Good question. I mean, when someone suddenly has two million dollars and offers you a “blank check” birthday gift, the pressure is on. You don’t want to waste the opportunity, but you also don’t want to be the person who says, “Socks. I could really use socks.”
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your hear ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
I recently bought a Tesla, my first electric car. I only took two test drives in the Tesla. I wanted to buy it to prove to myself I could learn the technology and enjoy what an electric car has to offer. Fortunately, I have a friend. He and has wife live one street over. My friend and his wife both have a Tesla. He volunteered to go with me to Tesla on the day I picked up my car. Imagine that. He sat in the car with me for an hour in the Tesla lot going over every setting and subsetting. When I drove out of the Tesla lot, I felt as if I’d been driving a Tesla for years. Good friends are a treasure. If you have good friends, let them know how grateful you are for their friendship. A gentle reminder, friendship is a two-way street. We help each other out when we are in need.
A friend is one who stands to share
Your every touch of grief and care.
He comes by chance, but stays by choice;
Your praises he is quick to voice.
No grievous fault or passing whim
Can make an enemy of him.
And though your need be great or small,
His strength is yours throughout it all.
No matter where your path may turn
Your welfare is his chief concern.
No matter what your dream may be
He prays your triumph soon to see.
There is no wish your tongue can tell
But what it is your friend’s as well.
The life of him who has a friend
Is double-guarded to the end.
Show appreciation for the people in your life.
The more we show appreciation for the people in our life, the tighter connected we become to them. You’ll appreciate them even more when they have your back during a tough stretch. It’s really the simple, small things we sometimes take for granted or don’t recognize that need our appreciation. A neighbor moved my trash container from the curb to my garage area after the trash truck passed through. A simple act that needs a thank you. A friend text me a photo of a beautiful sunrise. That’s a double win, I got the beautiful photo and I knew my friend was thinking of me. That needs a response. It’s these small things that are the glue that hold us together. Let the folks close to you know how much you value them. It’s a big deal.
A friend is one who stands to share
Your every touch of grief and care.
He comes by chance, but stays by choice;
Your praises he is quick to voice.
No grievous fault or passing whim
Can make an enemy of him.
And though your need be great or small,
His strength is yours throughout it all.
No matter where your path may turn
Your welfare is his chief concern.
No matter what your dream may be
He prays your triumph soon to see.
There is no wish your tongue can tell
But what it is your friend’s as well.
The life of him who has a friend
Is double-guarded to the end.
A few things to never take for granted: One’s life. A partner’s love. Good health. A faithful friend. Any meal. A bird’s song. Springtime. And, a hot cup of coffee. Everything is a gift.
When a friend calls to me from the road
And slows his horse to a meaning walk,
I don’t stand still and look around
On all the hills I haven’t hoed,
And shout from where I am, What is it?
No, not as there is a time to talk.
I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,
Blade-end up and five feet tall,
And plod: I go up to the stone wall
For a friendly visit.
