Less a poem than a love story with a bad ending. But there is a message.
Let someone know you care. Life is too short to hold a grudge.last night
by my best friend Larry with shaky hand shook mine in greeting.
We have not spoken to each other in several years. But the message
is clear. So silly a reason to end a friendship. A political debate
taking place, Hillary Clinton was running against Obama. We were on the phone
Larry strongly Democrat asked me my choice between the two. I said, "None of the
above." Trying to change the subject. We shared allot of things not politics."You're not
voting for Hillary?" When I told him I don't argue politics he said, "You're
a Republican! You're voting for Bush!"
Not true I had not made up my mind, actually I was leaning towards a third candidate,
but not a Democrat. In truth I am more an independent. He cursed at my ignorance
and hung up. Many years have past. Last night was his Wife's memorial. I debated
but my wife is proud of me. I had to go pay my respects to her.I was best man
at their marriage fifty years ago. I loved her dearly she was my first cousin.
I introduced the two of them as my two best friends.Whatever my rift with Larry
I had to pay my respects to her. I heard one man say to his wife as Larry and
I approached each other shook hands and embraced, "Dear, you have to see this!"
Many had heard of our breakup of friendship. Inseparable friends and not speaking
to each other for years.
So fast backwards: As children my cousins and I were best friends. I think
I was eight maybe younger. It was Thanksgiving. Us kids were playing in the
barn. My world was my Sister and my cousins. My Father in a drunken rage
turned over the family dinner table turkey and all. It was an argument over
politics. All I know is we were told to leave. Fast forward: As we were driving
in the area of the old farmstead I told my Step dad I used to play there allot
as a child. I sure miss the old farm. My Step-dad then said,"lets go see the farm."
My Uncle saw us drive up. Mom had tears in her eyes afraid of what they would say.
Reality was she and my Aunt became best friends again. My cousin Cheryl was no
longer a young child of five but a beautiful young lady. It was hard to remember
she was my cousin. She was a Seafair Princess in the parade. Had no date and asked me to
be her chaperon. As children we once again were best friends.
Fast forward: I transferred High Schools in my Senior year. Larry was learning to
drive and had taken his Father's car without permission. Only blocks from his
home he lost control and came through our yard taking out some shrubs. He and
his friend came sheepishly to our front door. Begging to repair his damage, "just
don't tell my Dad." Everything was forgiven. The next day Larry and his friend
Ron asked me to join them playing baseball. For one summer we were the three Amigos
Ron Santo went on to become a Major League Hall of Fame player for the Chicago Cubs.
Baseball and golf were our major loves. Larry and Ron had been best friends since
childhood. Both athletes in two sports baseball and football. Two years older I went
off to join the service and Ron when I returned had gone off to a baseball career.
Larry and I became best friends. Who else would I introduce to my favorite cousin who
I dearly loved.
This take me up to last night. How stupid were we to let an argument over politics end
a relationship. In the photo screen of my cousin's childhood, their marriage I watched as
we all turned from kids to Grey and white and thought insanely of the time used holding
a grudge. Life is too short.I saw the startled look in Larry's eyes when I told him
he hung up on me. In his mind I think he thought I ended the friendship. I saw the tears
in his eyes as he looked at the pictures of my lovely cousin. I knew that I had made
the right choice and I have to make the right choice again. Always friends life is too
short to hold grudges. /dandy
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