Thursday, December 09, 2010

Hangin' With an Old Friend

Yesterday I spent the day with my college roomie. Yes, we are still good friends after being out of college for 42 years next week! He called me, had the day off and asked me if I wanted to meet him in Northern Civilization for the day. That's about the half-way mark for both of us traveling.
He and his wife have remained friends of ours for all these years. They have 2 children about the same ages as mine, and we both have grandchildren. They have 7, I have 3. Usually when Roomie and I get together, Mrs. Roomie comes along, too. The 3 of us have a ball. Yesterday it was just the two of us. We had a ball. It had been a long time since just the two of us had spent the day. It was like being back in our old stomping grounds. Our college was in Northern Civilization. We ate at a local Cracker Barrel, then went Christmas shopping. That was a joke. We really just walked around the huge mall and visited, stopping often to grab a coke or a snack. We each ended up buying 1 gift. But that wasn't the point. We just enjoyed being together. Roomie is the kind of friend that if I got put in jail, he wouldn't make bail for me; he would come and sit in the cell with me!! LOL! (probably because he would have been with me in the first place.) When my late wife was at death's door in a a coma, Roomie and Mrs. Roomie were there beside me. Mrs. R sat with Tilly, so I could get away for a while. Roomie took me to a Bill Gaither Concert that evening. I was only away from the hospital for a couple of hours, but those two hours made a big difference. When Tilly passed away, my good friends were with me through the entire funeral process, holding me up, both physically and spiritually. They have been there for me ever since. They call, they e mail, they visit me, I visit them.
Yesterday was a gift. One I will cherish! Thanks to Roomie for making my Christmas even better!

Peace,
JE

2 comments:

Mellodee said...

"Old" friends are the very best! Isn't it amazing that we can recognize a kindred spirit at such a young age? I met mine at age 15, and she's still in my life....

Curley said...

I'm so glad you had a great time. I knew you would even if all you did was sit and do nothing. It's not what you do, it's who you do it with. What a great Christmas gift.