Life lesson: ‘Never forget your friends’

Recently I was invited to have dinner with a group of old friends. These are guys I “hung out” with back in the 60s as part of the car culture that was popular in Pottstown. As we passed time discussing fond memories we shared from the innocence of our youth, my mind drifted beyond what we experienced over five decades ago as teenagers.

If we are lucky to live to the point in time where it really doesn’t matter how many birthday candles are on our cake we must cherish how fortunate we are to have shared life on this planet with some individuals who have no idea how special they are to us.

We guys don’t hug or kiss one another like the ladies, but the mutual admiration we share is communicated with a firm handshake or back slap and a pleasant smile. I am in awe when I look at these guys, most now retired, who have been productive multi-talented members of society, asking for charity from no one, and I am proud to call them my friends.

We are able to rationally discuss a myriad of subjects from politics to who had the fastest car “back in the day,” and walk away friends, appreciating the views and opinions of one another and bid farewell with no ill feelings. If only everyone was as lucky as us!

My father once told me “Never forget your friends.” I often wondered why he made that remark, but after 70-plus years on this planet I now know what he meant.

The facts of life are: life goes on, children grow up, mature and become independent as they should. I can’t physically do the things I did when I was young except talk, but still try. Parents die, but we must endure the void created by their passing. The race to achieve has slowed, but my true friends as well as my only true love are still there for me.

Share your love with your family, especially your spouse. Help those you can and stay in touch with those who we call our good friends or surrogate family. It was once said that life can only be understood backwards, so we must hold dear the remembrances of people, events and things from our past while enjoying each day to the fullest.

As Simon and Garfunkel wrote in their song “Old Friends,” “Preserve your memories. They’re all that’s left you. How terribly strange to be 70.”

If you think my rambling thoughts are worth sharing, share them with a few friends. I just did.

Stay tuned.