True Friends - Part 2

My luck might be turning for the better. At least in the short term.

Out of the blue Wednesday, I got a text from a dear friend asking if we could have lunch Thursday. As I had to work, I had to decline but he followed up with “what time you get off?” So we scheduled an early dinner to meet. I was excited and a bit nervous, as I was not sure why he wanted to meet.

Shawn is a lifelong friend who I wrote about in a previous blog. We have known each other since we were kids. He is like a brother to me. Throughout our lives, we have taken different paths and have gone years without speaking due to kids, wives, and careers, but when we do get together it is like nothing has changed.

We met at Cracker Barrel, and as is always the case I arrived early. I sat down and starting thinking about how we met, the many times we spent together and some of the crazy adventures we had been upon. Shawn has been in my life for 36 years.

Soon he arrived, sat down and we began talking. We talked about our kids, wives, and careers. The details of which will remain private, but as usual we have a lot in common. Shawn is one of the few people that actually ‘get me’. He and I spent a long time talking about how we are both sometimes paralyzed by anxiety and both have an outlet to deal with those severe times when they happen.

For the 90+ minutes we were together, I was able to forget about my stress and anxiety and live in the moment with him. A rare thing I can do with most other people. It was nice to catch up, reminisce and connect with my old friend. The other shoe didn’t drop either. I was afraid he had something impactful to say, like he was retiring and moving, or something happened with him and his wife, etc. I guess that is the eternal pessimist in me.

As we said our goodbyes, I asked that we try to get together more than twice and year, and he agreed. We departed and I walked through the rain to my car. Driving home my eyes filled with tears, thinking about our lives, the experiences we had together, and how much our lives have changed so much since the times we hung out in our twenties. I was also very happy to know I have this life-long friend that is there if I ever need him, and like me, I hope we can both conquer our anxiety. Two meals with dear friends in one week. That is my idea of Heaven. I am truly blessed.

Until next time,

Tim

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