I spend a lot of time on the road doing the things we do. I enjoy it. I really like to be around people most of the time because it gives me energy. Now, that’s not to say that I don’t need or enjoy some time to myself too, because we all do. The thing is when you have time on the road driving, or flying, or whatever your mode of transportation may be it usually frees up the creative side of your brain. There is actually scientific proof of that….hence, that’s why you think of great ideas in the shower, mowing the yard, washing dishes ( for those of you who don’t use the dishwasher for anything but a dish rack:)….It frees up the creative side, and shuts down the editing side because you’ve occupied it with a task.
So, I was driving and a friend called. My closest, lifelong friend. As Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton sang, “You can’t make old friends”. That’s a great song by the way but I will continue my story…..I’m talking to my friend, and it always makes my day better. I get off the phone and I had this crazy thought. My thought probably was somehow brought on by Hound’s book, “Funeral in the South”, nevertheless, I was picturing my own funeral. I know, it’s a morbid thought, but hang with me for a minute. Don’t tell me you haven’t had thoughts like this either, because I know you have, we all do.
If something happened to me now, obviously most of my friends are still here in this world, and more than likely some of them might be able to come bid me farewell…..and if so, what if they all gathered around a table and chatted it up about me later? What would they say, what would they learn from each other, and most importantly to me, would they come away feeling like they knew me?
That’s what lead me to have this overwhelming feeling of gratitude. Friends are the most important gift this life has to offer. It’s value is immeasurable. Think about it. I can’t imagine going through, or having survived this long without them. I have multiple stories of just that fact on every level. That also lead me to this realization about friends. Don’t feel bad about the reality that you have friends that experience different sides of you, or in some cases, all sides of you. That is the way it’s supposed to be. We’re supposed to bring out different characteristics in each other; hopefully to grow in a positive way. So, here’s my personal summation of friends….
I’ve got friends I laugh with, play golf with, hunt with, fish with, drink with, sing with, write with, perform with, worship with, live with part-time( lol), work with, do business with, pray with, travel with, confide in, believe in, and share my deepest thoughts on the planet to…..and much more.
Some of my friends are family, and some of my “family” started out as just friends. It’s also great when your “better half” is your best friend. And, sometimes you’ll show all these sides to a handful of the chosen few. One thing seems to be certain, whatever, whoever, or however, our friends make up our lives, it’s the most precious gift you’ll ever have while living here…..so, to all my friends…THANK YOU & much Love!