OLD FRIENDS
I first met
Frog in 1961, our sophomore year in high school. He was a manager on the high school football
team, I was a third string guard on the Varsity team. We did not talk much.
The next
year, I was a second-string guard, Frog was the head manager on the football
team. If you want to know who is more
valuable to a football team, a second-string guard or the manager, ask the Head
Coach…the manager wins. We did not talk
much.
The next
year, I was the starting guard and Co-captain.
If you checked with the Head Coach, the manager was still the more
important man on the team. We still did
not talk much. I did once ask for a new
pair of shoe laces and Frog said no.
“I’m friggin Co-captain and I can’t
have shoe laces?”
“Coach says we’re running low.”
I hated
Frog.
The next
year I went to college and Frog went to the same school. I bumped into him, he was rooming on the
floor just below me. We talked a
lot. We have been close friends ever
since. He still would not give me a pair
of shoe laces if I asked…the shirt off his back, but not laces, it is a matter
of principle.
That was 54
years ago, and we are still friends. He
has tried to get me to learn to fly fish with very little success. I have tried to teach him to play golf with
limited success. We have shared more
than a drink or two, we even shared a bed once, separated by a pair of skis and
a promise of no touching.
Between us
we have been married six times, seven if you count one that may have been…never
mind, that is a long story.
There have
been a lot good times, a few bad times.
Old friends
are great. They are there when you need
them. You can be an asshole and you are
forgiven. You can laugh at stuff with
only the slightest mention of an event long past.
Truth be
told I don’t have many friends. When you
divorce, the friends either go to the wife, or they slowly just go their own
way. I’ve lost a lot of friends in two
divorces.
Old friends
don’t leave. You may not see them often,
but they are always friends.
This week is
my annual college fraternity reunion.
There will be a bunch of old friends there. The oldest won’t make it this year, he has
other obligations. We’ll get together
soon.
Why am I
doing an old friends post? There is this weeks reunion, but also I have
mentioned Frog in the past, and he recently sent me
this picture from a few years ago, so I figured I should introduce him.
It
may have been before our last and final ski trip. Final, because these old friends are too old
to ski.
Frog is the
one with the funny goggles.
Which funny goggles?
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like having a good friend who will stick with you through thick and thin, friends like Frog are a blessing.
ReplyDeleteOld friends are the ones you know have your back. Enjoy the reunion!
ReplyDeleteLoved this.... friends, real friends, stay forever. Sad that circumstances can change things but, as you say, you never really lose real friends
ReplyDeleteI have some old friends that I've had for most of my life. I think one hard part of divorce is losing friends in the process.
ReplyDeleteYou never know who will remain in your life. Here's to loyal friends!
ReplyDeleteThanks for helpful identification clue.
ReplyDeleteOld friends know where the bodies are buried and they are the ones who helped.
ReplyDeleteSharon beat me to it. We keep our old friends close for they know things about us we don't particularly want to be public knowledge.
ReplyDeleteum....both those goggles look funny.
ReplyDeleteYou've mentioned Frog before and I clearly understand the bond between the two of you. I have a similar friend I've known since 1975 and when we get together it's like time has stood still.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see that you allowed yourselves a side-hug for the picture, without a pair of skis separating you!
ReplyDeleteHurrah for old friends!
ReplyDeleteOld friends are the best because I'm not one to have a big posse around me and I'v never even been divorced but nothing beats someone who knows what you were like when you could fit into a size 5 and had hair that didn't need to be colored every 5 weeks.
ReplyDelete54 years of friendship is amazing. Kudos to you and to Frog. Here's to many, many, many more years. :)
ReplyDeleteHuman nature is too complicated to develop friendship specially when there is matter of rivalry .
ReplyDeletebut i believe souls find each other no matter how tough times come between.you became best friends when there was equal comfort zone to communicate.
Either i believe that old friends from school stay best forever because they know you through all your growing and experiences .
I also don't have much .there are two only ,though we meet in years but bonding exist still with all it's strength.
The friends leave with time or due to changes in your life are not friends actually .you just know them less you should.
I smiled over the separating bed by skis. Same happened to me when during my wedding days (7) my friend came to stay with me,we laid on ground on blankets (according to tradition) though but separated the space with pillow ,it was my decision other wise other girls were sleeping tangled .
I am glad that you are going to participate in reunion event ,this is exciting and special. Though you both buddies will meet later but i am sure it will be remarkable meeting of old friends!
you guys looked great in old photo Joe!