Friends
Submitted by: Doug Warburton

It was a cold day in November....

Okay, no it wasn't but thought that might be a Gripping opener!!!

All I really wanted to talk about is friends. There is a difference between friends and acquaintances, did you know that? My step father pointed that out to me years ago. Do you know the difference? I didn't, but he helped me understand.

Acquaintances are people you run into and have a friendly relationship for a bit, and then everyone moves on in their lives and forgets, but every once in a while thinks...gee, wonder what my old buddy Bill is up too? And then they move on.

Friends, true friends, are counted on a single hand or maybe two if you're lucky. He asked me if I knew why there was a difference. I confess, I did not, at least I didn't think I did but who is going to admit that! He told me that only my true friends would be the ones that carry the casket! Okay, didn't expect that, and guessing you didn't either. But he is right, well maybe not about the casket so much, but they are your True Friends.

Ones that you call in the middle of the night when you just put you car in the ditch because it is slick out or a deer (or Moose) ran out in front of you and you didn't want to hit it and you didn't want your car in the body shop for the next 3 weeks! They are the ones that ask "Are you okay?" first then respond with "I'm on my way and I'll be there in just a bit, don't worry." That, my friends, is a True Friend.

Friends...True friends...those are the hardest to find. How come they are the hardest to find you may ask, perhaps you already know, and perhaps you don’t? I won't tell you because I really don’t know the answer, but maybe just maybe I have a general idea.

Friends are people who you really connect with and there may be weeks, months or even years in which for what ever reason, you can't talk to them or they are unable to talk to you. It happens and maybe a majority of us have seen it happen. Then out of the blue!!! A phone call, letter (that's rare these days) or an email.

There is our friend, wanting to reconnect! And they have, well, we both have. The amazing thing is that you will know within a very short time whether it is sincere or just a passing moment, and you will know.

I am very fortunate to have some very wonderful "FRIENDS." And best part is, I know they are. It may take some time to go back and forth, after all some of us are parents and have jobs and so many other things! But you will know that you have some really great friends when it is 3am your time and you think "I'm going to call" and they pick up! They are tired, but when they hear your voice, they respond like it is noon their time and they have been awake for hours! Happy to talk to you and talk and talk and talk; those my friends, are truly friends!

Each one is different from the other, and they all have amazing qualities about them, so I am humbled by all of them and that they welcome me to be their friend.

Thank you to all of my friends, you may not always know it, but you are all truly, Wonderful Friends! And I am so grateful for that!

Best part is that I think I have enough to count them on both my fingers and my toes and that tells me that I am Truly Blessed!

Doug