Pic's of today:
For today:
I am a
very fortunate man. In my life I have had 4 real LONG TIME friends. You and
many others can say many more. BUT
with the life style I choose, establishing real friendships is near impossible.
I had
two real friends as a teenager, Vondale and Buddy. Both great guys in my
opinion, there was a real bond. I had a
desire to become a military man, and there on Parris Island I met the third
real friend, Pvt R D Fletcher. I know him as Dallas. The name itself I liked. I had never known
anyone named Dallas. A couple of towns maybe, but not a dude.
Dallas
was from a foreign country, Pennsylvania.
Well for a country boy from NC it seemed like it was foreign. At first he even sounded ‘funny’. LOL
He
began my education on states other than NC, SC and GA. I had always pictured PA
as cities, i.e. Pittsburg, Philladelphia.
But
this is about ME being FORTUNATE. I met these guys in the 1950s. Today they are
still alive. All have had medical problems but in our 80s we are still above
the worms. We all have good solid marriages. Either of these men today
would come to my aid if I needed it and I to theirs. Friendships of over 70
years are nothing to sneeze at.
AT
present Vondale is watching his love slowly fade away, due to health and
dementia. WE have offered but of course he can handle it himself. We honor his
desires.
Dallas & Marian today. That Marian is eternally young, however........ LOL Love 'em.
WE plan
to visit Dallas and his sweet wife Marian up in PA in a few weeks, then down to
Florida where we must see Buddy and his lovely wife Di. WE will return to NC and if Vonnie needs us
we will be available.
The
later-in-life BEST friend I had was actually family. Sonny was a brother-in-law. Married
to Sherry’s sister Colette. He was
close, we saw each other most days. We traveled thousands of miles together. I
have thought of Sonny as a teen friend, we hung together just as Vonnie, Buddy
and I did as teens.. Sonny died a few years ago, I still think of him every
day.
Yes, I
have had only a few friends, but they are/were the BEST. They make me smile, laugh and love them as
the best guys in the world.
NiteShipslog
PS: There is nothing like a
real friend…
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7 comments:
What a blessing it is to have 4 friends that have kept touch for 70 years. That they all have lived as long as you is wonderful! Other than family there is no better place to be than visiting friends.
I am deeply touched how rare and precious lifelong friendships are. It’s heartwarming to see the deep bonds you’ve maintained over decades with friends from your teenage years, the military, and even family. It reminds us that quality always matters more than quantity when it comes to friends.
Your "PS" says it all, Jack. You and Sherry are so blessed to have these wonderful men and women in your lives.
I agree, there is nothing like a real friend. Thank you for this wonderful post, Jack. Praying for you and Sherry. God bless y'all.
Do you know how blessed you are - some people don't have any. I feel luck too. Your friends seem wonderful!
True friends are blessings from God. :)
You are lucky to have long time friends who are still with you. I keep in touch with a few gals from high school. I consider my sister my best friend. We both know where the bodies are buried! Ha! P. S..I also consider my Jack a best friend. He knew me when I was cute!
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