As a boy that grew into a young man, I never realized that friends....really genuine friends are very hard to come by. When I was in my mid-20's, there was an older fellow I met who eventually wound up working for me when I was on Wall Street back in the 70's.
We gradually became great friends and he said something to me over lunch one day that stuck with me, In fact, I eventually came to understand that what he was telling me was so true, despite that I rejected the notion upon first hearing it. As it turns out, what he said to me became a guiding philosophy for me to this very day.
What he said to me was that when the end draws near and one of God's angels comes to escort us away, the Angel will likely ask us a question. If you can name a truly best friend for each and every finger on your two hands.....just 10 digits....fingers and thumbs........you have had a very good life.
When I first heard that said to me over lunch that day, I chuckled aloud retorting that I've go so many great buddies that I'd need the arms of an Octopus........there was my buddies from the neighborhood, high school college.....just my fraternity brothers required me to have more arms and feet.
My friend looked at me and said time will prove me wrong and the labels we assign to our relationships haven't stood the test of time.......in due time, these many, many friends I was thinking I had would start to fade and indeed it did gradually happen.....I moved away......changed careers.......got married.....had children.....moved again....more kids.....moved again, etc. Just did the things of everyday life and along the way, the many friends I previously believed I had thinned enormously.
Now I didn't stop being a friend but circumstances changed and people drift apart....sometimes to reconnect later on in life but best friends always make it a point to stay connected......even if it's just a phone call from thousands of miles away.......but there is a oath that best friends pledge to each other.....it's unsaid and maybe even unknown but it permeates everything that embodies friendship.........."Any Time.......Any Place.....Any Thing.".
This past weekend a piece of me died....I know that sounds corny but I believe wholeheartedly in the 10 fingers count of best friends during one's lifetime..........I do not have all my fingers named....we're talking friends, not family or loved ones.....people not related to you....... and the horrible part is this weekend, I lost a finger and sadly, I will never grow another one.......as you age, the herd thins out and so to all the young bucks out there I remind them......."Any Time, Any Place, Any Thing!". Cherish the moment fellas because you never know when it will be lost.
Matt B.
