Passing Friends

Yesterday I had an opportunity to reflect on friendship.


Since I left home at the age of 18 I have met, kept and loss many friends from it seem all over the world. Friends that were close, friends that were short in knowing and friends that later turned out to not be friends.

Recently about a year or so ago I had a conversation with a friend about friendship and we discussed the meaning of friendship. We accepted some definitions and rejected others but the final meaning was simple. A friend is someone who is there whether you need them or not and is one who stops for your care or the care of others without being asked and never, never give an excuse or ask for recompense.

After some thought I came to the realization that a friend is someone you learn from, someone you admire and share your thoughts with, someone you can depend on to give you advice and someone that will tell you what you should know not what you want to know.

I came to the position that I have been very fortunate and blessed to have friends that meet that definition. Some of my friends I have known a life time almost, some for a few years and some whom I seem to be in the process of making.

In this reflection I remember a close friend that either I would call every few years and sometimes months and knew if he needed me or I needed him we would respond to each other without question. He was killed while on duty as a policeman in New York many years ago. I miss him.

I mention this because in my reflection I lost another friend a few years ago to sickness. We would talk about politics and business for hours on end. I miss him too and I treasure and am blessed having know them along with others.

I have friends now that are like those two, we talk, we discuss issues and we get in heated discussions about all kinds of things and I would not trade those moments for nothing. We have been meeting to talk now for over 25 years and we think we know how to do everything. :)

There are others who I speak with almost daily and I am as I said blessed to have them as a friend and I will go when they call or give them my shirt if they need it, or my wallet no matter what may be in it if they ask.

So you see a friend is "A good Samaritan" and one who stops everything else when there is a need for you or someone else.

Johnnie, my classmate, my friend was such a person. He touched many lives. We talked often about all things. He talked about his children, his grandchildren and his work. Although I did not know his children and his grandchildren I felt like I did when he talked because he showed the love he had for them.

I can hear him telling me how he took his son to the airport and learned later his son loved to fly and became a pilot. How he met his wife and his love for riding his motorcycle.

Last Tuesday he rode to have breakfast with me and my friends whom he met for the first time and was accepted as if he had been coming for the last 25 years too.

Friendship is a valuable commodity and something that has to be protected and defended and never misused. Once one understands that, friendship comes much easier and is much enjoyed and missed when gone.

I will miss Johnny, he passed unexpected the other day but, I am blessed to have know him for all these years and I have a treasure of memories as a result of that friendship. Yes I'll miss the voice on the phone (Hey, Bro George).

Should his family read this, please know this is my way of expressing my heartfelt symphony for your loss and know that because of him I will forever be in your debt for sharing him with me. Should you ever have a need to call or talk or whatever I will be there because of his friendship?

God Bless You and May you Rest in Peace Johnnie.