Friends...

Steve · 12-01-2017, 02:38 PM

A newlywed young man was sitting on the porch on a hot, humid day, sipping iced tea with his father.

As he talked about adult life, marriage, responsibilities, and obligations, the father thoughtfully stirred the ice cubes in his glass and cast a clear, sober look on his son.

"Never forget your friends," he advised, "they will become more important as you get older."

"Regardless of how much you love your family and the children you happen to have, you will always need friends. Remember to go out with them occasionally, do activities with them, call them .."

"What strange advice!" Thought the young man. "I just entered the married world, I am an adult and surely my wife and the family that we will start will be everything I need to make sense of my life."

Yet he obeyed his father. He kept in touch with his friends and annually increased their number. Over the years, he became aware that his father knew what he was talking about.

Inasmuch as time and nature carry out their designs and mysteries on a man, friends were the bulwarks of his life.

After 60 years of life, here is what he learned:

Time passes.

Life goes on.

Distance separates.

Children grow up and become independent; it breaks the parents' hearts, but the children become separated from the parents.

Jobs come and go.

Illusions, desires, attraction, sex weaken.

People do not do what they should do.

The heart breaks.

Parents die.

Colleagues forget the favors.

The races are over.

But true friends are always there, no matter how many miles away they are or for how long.

A friend is never more distant than the reach of a need, intervening in your favor, waiting for you with open arms or blessing your life.

When we started this adventure called LIFE, we did not know of the incredible joys or sorrows that were ahead. We did not know how much we would need from each other. Love your parents, take care of your children, and keep a group of good friends too.

dijit · 12-01-2017, 02:42 PM

well said brother

BigAsh · 12-01-2017, 02:57 PM

Amen! (Gotta admit though, since you post so many jokes, I was looking for the punchline!)

icehog3 · 12-01-2017, 03:12 PM

A wise lesson indeed, Steve.

Dave128 · 12-01-2017, 03:19 PM

Thank you, Steve.

pnoon · 12-01-2017, 03:24 PM

Food for thought.

CigarNut · 12-02-2017, 07:49 AM

HK3- · 12-03-2017, 06:17 PM

Skywalker · 12-03-2017, 06:22 PM

Well said!

I appreciate so many of the friends we have made here.

G G · 12-03-2017, 06:24 PM

True words Steve.

IBQTEE1 · 12-05-2017, 10:00 AM

Awesome

Tio Gato · 12-06-2017, 12:29 PM

You are wise grasshopper.

Willem2 · 12-06-2017, 04:05 PM

well said.

makes me think about a lot of things that i could have done better. But still hope to be that (long distance) friend.

12-01-2017, 02:38 PM	#1
Steve Dad Jokester Supreme Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Steve Location: 17 R 435648 3354895 Posts: 7,715 Trading: (6)	Friends... A newlywed young man was sitting on the porch on a hot, humid day, sipping iced tea with his father. As he talked about adult life, marriage, responsibilities, and obligations, the father thoughtfully stirred the ice cubes in his glass and cast a clear, sober look on his son. "Never forget your friends," he advised, "they will become more important as you get older." "Regardless of how much you love your family and the children you happen to have, you will always need friends. Remember to go out with them occasionally, do activities with them, call them .." "What strange advice!" Thought the young man. "I just entered the married world, I am an adult and surely my wife and the family that we will start will be everything I need to make sense of my life." Yet he obeyed his father. He kept in touch with his friends and annually increased their number. Over the years, he became aware that his father knew what he was talking about. Inasmuch as time and nature carry out their designs and mysteries on a man, friends were the bulwarks of his life. After 60 years of life, here is what he learned: Time passes. Life goes on. Distance separates. Children grow up and become independent; it breaks the parents' hearts, but the children become separated from the parents. Jobs come and go. Illusions, desires, attraction, sex weaken. People do not do what they should do. The heart breaks. Parents die. Colleagues forget the favors. The races are over. But true friends are always there, no matter how many miles away they are or for how long. A friend is never more distant than the reach of a need, intervening in your favor, waiting for you with open arms or blessing your life. When we started this adventure called LIFE, we did not know of the incredible joys or sorrows that were ahead. We did not know how much we would need from each other. Love your parents, take care of your children, and keep a group of good friends too. __________________ ...So don't sit upon the shoreline and say you're satisfied, Choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance that tide

12-01-2017, 02:42 PM	#2
dijit Have My Own Room Join Date: Feb 2012 First Name: Mike Location: Brownsburg, Indiana Posts: 2,186 Trading: (48)	Re: Friends... well said brother __________________ Sporting goods raffle for a great cause. PM me for tickets.

12-01-2017, 02:57 PM	#3
BigAsh Don't knock the Ash... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Keith Location: Yardley, PA Posts: 5,046 Trading: (46)	Re: Friends... Amen! (Gotta admit though, since you post so many jokes, I was looking for the punchline!) __________________ Keith

12-01-2017, 03:12 PM	#4
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,440 Trading: (60)	Re: Friends... A wise lesson indeed, Steve. __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

12-01-2017, 03:19 PM	#5
Dave128 Sexy Dave Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Dave Location: Voorheesville, NY Posts: 3,922 Trading: (4)	Re: Friends... Thank you, Steve. __________________ "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin I "heart" Boobies and Beer!

12-01-2017, 03:24 PM	#6
pnoon YNWA Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Peter Location: San Diego Posts: 29,919 Trading: (20)	Re: Friends... Food for thought. __________________ Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. -John Wooden

12-02-2017, 07:49 AM	#7
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: Friends... __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

12-03-2017, 06:17 PM	#8
HK3- Cashmere Jungle Lord Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Boffa Location: The town so nice they named it twice Posts: 5,035 Trading: (48)	Re: Friends...

12-03-2017, 06:22 PM	#9
Skywalker BABOTL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dice Location: Galaxy Far Far Away Posts: 10,168 Trading: (18)	Re: Friends... Well said! I appreciate so many of the friends we have made here. __________________ Smoke what you like!!!

12-03-2017, 06:24 PM	#10
G G BR549 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Taylor, FL. Posts: 12,730 Trading: (10)	Re: Friends... True words Steve.

12-05-2017, 10:00 AM	#11
IBQTEE1 Crazy K Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Kristin Location: Here and there Posts: 2,563 Trading: (6)	Re: Friends... Awesome __________________ It's a Good Day to Smoke a Cigar!!!

12-06-2017, 12:29 PM	#12
Tio Gato Uncle Kitty Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Casa Grande, AZ Posts: 2,075 Trading: (11)	Re: Friends... You are wise grasshopper. __________________ "You stink like cigars Uncle Kitty!" Said my Boo age 3. "Kid, take care of your family and the hell with anyone else" My Grandpa Bubba.

12-06-2017, 04:05 PM	#13
Willem2 One of the Dutch Join Date: Nov 2011 First Name: Wiilem Location: Hattemerbroek, the Netherlands Posts: 144 Trading: (0)	Re: Friends... well said. makes me think about a lot of things that i could have done better. But still hope to be that (long distance) friend.