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March 5, 2003 - "Gift of Friendship" Welcome to 2TheHeart!
"We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere." ~Tim McGraw
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SPRING BOUTIQUE!
To advertise your book, CD, crafts, business, web site or product on our online Spring Boutique (now through Easter), email me at editor@2theheart.com . Each space in the boutique is a flat fee of $10, and includes ad design if you need it! Our boutiques are lots of fun and a great way to get the word out about your product! To see what the Valentine Boutique looked like, click here: www.2theheart.com/boutique
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"Gift of Friendship"
by Jonathan Tun
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13
"What do you think he's doing now?" Several moments passed as we watched the reflection of city lights dance across the Chicago waterfront. "I don't know, maybe dancing with Lisa...Why, do you wish you were there?" queried my friend Harvey to my other buddy Carlos. "Nah, too expensive; why waste all that money on a 'friend'?" Carlos replied. Several more moments passed as we contemplated all the fun we were missing: the disco dancing, polyester flair bottom orange suits or tuxedos with ruffles, platform shoes, and big hair. I sighed and said "I didn't think Bobby could even dance...Look, I don't want to talk about it anymore - it's depressing. Can we talk about something else right now?" It was a late night in the summer of '81, and my best friends and I were sitting out on the breaker rocks on Lake Michigan, wondering what the other member of our cadre was doing at the Senior Prom. For various reasons, the three of us could not go: my parents didn't allow me to go, my friend Harvey was too chicken to ask a girl he was interested in until it was too late, and my other friend Carlos really couldn't justify spending all that money on someone he didn't know very well.
After a period of self-pity and mutual encouragement, our thoughts began to drift back to all the experiences we had shared together. After all, in a few brief months to come we would all be going our separate ways. "Hey Jon - Remember when you came to help Kenny and I patch my radiator hose with bubble gum?" cackled Carlos with a grin. Carlos was notorious for owning cars that were practically on their "last leg", and one just prayed that it would not die at a dangerous or inopportune moment. It did.
Carlos had the misfortune of his car breaking down in blizzard conditions, Christmas Eve, way out in the middle of nowhere. He managed to call me for help from a pay phone, and I drove out in the blinding snow to find him, bringing hot chocolate and some tools to help him. It turned out that among the tools I brought, I did not bring duct tape, which would have been exactly what was needed to fix what we found to be a leaking radiator hose. The only thing that we could find was bubble gum, and so the three of us divvied up a whole pack of gum, chewing it up until it was all gooey. Then we stuffed it into the hole as best we could and filled the radiator with snow. The stench and steam of leaking antifreeze circulated in through the car's ventilation system, fogging up the windshield, forcing Carlos to stick his head out the window while driving. In the frigid and windy winter condition, this was not always possible, so he tried using Kleenex to wipe the fog off the windshield which was continually obstructing his view. After a few miles of this, the car again ran out of fluid, overheating and killing the engine. Carlos had to ditch the car in an empty parking lot to be picked up later. We ended up spending the night at a Motel 8 sipping hot chocolate and flipping through the T.V. channels until the next day when I could take them home.
We all could laugh looking back on what was then a harrowing incident. The fact that we spent so much time together throughout high school translated to sharing many such incidents over the years. We had shared our dreams, our anguish, our anxiety, and our triumphs. Passing through the rigors of high school together, we had all matured from boys to young men. The future was bright, the world was full of wonder, and we could only imagine what experiences lay ahead. It was a wonderful time to be alive.
Harvey, the one with the most foresight of all of us said "Do you think we'll ever be as close as we are now?" Carlos, the eternal optimist, said "Of course - Why not?" In my naivety, I agreed, even though I knew I was soon heading the farthest, to the University of Hawaii. I did not foresee what I know now - that we would all move on, get married, travel to different states, and have families of our own.
Harvey was right; things would never be the same. Passing through life in my later years, I have never found the same kind of relationships we had back then. But I always think fondly of those times, remembering the special bond of friendship that kept us together, helping us to become the men we are today. I believe God brings friends alongside at various times to help each other along the way. It could be for a season, it could be for a lifetime; only God knows. The only thing I can do is appreciate those friendships as best I can and be thankful that God brought them into my life. It is truly a gift, the gift of friendship.
Jonathan Tun copyright 2003
jwtun@tva.gov
Jonathan Tun is a third generation Asian American (Chinese and Japanese descent) born in Chicago, Illinois (1963). Besides enjoying writing, he is an avid exercise enthusiast and philanthropist, currently serving on the board of directors for "Hope for Chattanooga" www.hope4.org, residing in Chattanooga, Tennessee with his wife and 2.8 children (Yeah, another one almost here!). You can read Jon's many other contributions in the 2theheart archives.
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The Letter Box:
Susan,
I just read Sandra's story about Buck. Anyone who has spent any time at all in a nursing home can relate to her story. Oh, the wisdom trapped behind lost minds in most nursing homes is so sad. Yes, for most it is a blessing if God calls them home! Thanks, Sandra, for your heart felt story.
Betty King
www.betty.newsmoose.com
Dear Sandra,
I loved your story! Isn't it amazing how God works through other people to give us the answers we need?
And yes, you are so right! The older generation has so much to give...if we'll just let them!
Blessings, my friend!
Sue Henley
doupray2@charter.net
Dear Sandra,
I enjoyed reading your 2theHeart Story. It is well written, with the gradual insights and inspiring feelings emerging naturally. The character details, the love of your dad and your understanding of his decision, and the bountiful details make for rich and rewarding reading. The use of the songs in development and conclusion was a very nice touch! Blessings, Mary-Ellen Grisham "meg" meginrose@empowering.com
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www.2theheart.com
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