(Sorry for the delay in posting but had to deal with some of life’s little complications. Since none of them involve anything close to the words “won the lottery” or “you have to do my hot friend too” I’m not going to bother explaining)
Friendship…The ability to share a common interest(s) with others and the sense of connection make us all feel a bit better about our own existence and like we’re not alone in the world. I’ve always had issues with making new friends partly because I’m a bit distrusting but mainly because most people don’t value friendship the way I do…it’s become a disposable commodity of convenience for most.
When I first meet someone, I know immediately if he/she will get added to the list as a “friend”. Maybe I’m just a good judge of character or have a knack for seeing the true essence of people but I doubt it…most probable answer is the unexplainable forces of attraction in the universe that allow “like to find like”. No matter the reason; it’s an almost insurmountable task to be chosen but the select few make the grade (even though I doubt any of them really know how rare it is to be added to my list of friends).
Most of my friends have been gained through contract at the office since I used to spend a great deal of time working from the lowest floors of the highest towers of the XYZ Corporation. The work wasn’t the greatest but the people were and it made for moments of humor and levity during the often stressful times of my existence. My friends were the people who pulled me away from the less important work tasks and on to the things in life that really mattered such as an extended lunch with great conversation. The prospect of having lunch with the crew was often the sole reason for my appearance at the office on many occasions…OK, virtually every occasion!
The crew was always ready for a good time but like all good things, it couldn’t last…EP and The Dietz moved to Seattle, KB-H moved to the UK and The Commish was dealt an undeserved hand by lesser men. In the end, it was down to me and GP to uphold the lunch tradition but change was lurking in the shadows. GP made it official with an upcoming move to DC…and then there was one.
I’m incredibly happy for all my friends that life has given them new adventures (even though it means I now have to go and audition new people down on GWC 3 for lunch buddies….maybe Ali will have pity and let me hang with them?) and I’m still friends with each and every one of them. Time and distance doesn’t change friendship as inclusion on the list means inclusion for life…for better or worse.
To all my friends, I raise my glass and say “Cheers” until we all meet again.
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3 comments:
A tear.
I've said it before - I'll say it again... people do not put enough emphasis on the little things that bring people together.
I appreciate all you wrote, and believe me if you can imagine what it must feel like for GP leaving B of A, imagine what it was like for GP leaving Home.
It isn't always clear why people can maintain friedships across long distances... but I think it is safe to assume that through media such as the one you've created - it makes it simpler. Heck even Facebook is a great tool.
You are definitely on my list of people I will miss in this odd place known as Charlotte...
Hopefully in 25 years or so - people would discover that NASCAR is a waste of time, there's a professional baseball team here, the basketball team would be repeat champions, and more companies come to Charlotte.
Hopefully.
After I wrote the entry, I realized I have ZERO friends originally from Charlotte even though I've lived here forever...they're all from somewhere else! It seems I have very little to do (or in common) with native residents which probably explains the sense of "never belonging here" that's dogged me my entire life. The writing's on the wall...I need to leave and chart a new life somewhere else.
In 25 years, NASCAR will be gone (already starting to decline), the baseball stadium will still be in the courts, the Bobcats will be the New Orleans Bobcats and Charlotte will be more than a one industry town (but still struggling to find an identity). Maybe I'll come back to visit in 25 years....maybe.
I, too, appreciate the words. There are points in time when you look back at a period and say, "that was a supreme confluence of events that brought the right people together, and it hasn't been the same since." I say that about those days on the floor 3 overlooking the bank, and the resulting move to GWC.
Hopefully, I'll still be around Charlotte for the long haul, and we can connect to rehash old times, my friend.
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