Old Friends

This week was a week of contemplation.  I don't mean the elections; elections are trivial in the long run.  No.  I mean friendships.  I was picking up my tuxedo for David Schweikert's wedding when Stan Barnes called to tell me about Jeff Groscost's death.  That was an intersection of three people whom I've known for nearly 20 years.

There are many advantages to middle age.  There is a sense of perspective that can only come with time, and there are the relationships.  Sure, when we are 20, there are people we've known since we were ten.  But that's not the same as being 43 and still having friendships with the people you met in your 20s.

Here's a picture from David's wedding.  That's Keith Bee on the right.  The three of us were in the same Freshman class in 1990 and served in the State House of Representatives together for four years.

   

Here we are in front of the U.S. Capitol in 1990.

One of my favorite things about writing espresso pundit is that it allows me to maintain relationships with people whom I've known for 15 or 20 years.  I was in Hollywood video last month and a friend from my days in the House walked up to me and started discussing a political issue mid sentence.  I had written a post on the issue the day before and he read it that morning and was acting like we had been discussing it.  I'm getting used to that.  People who I haven't seen for years feel like we talk every day.  I think that's awesome. 

I attended Jeff's funeral on Thursday.  I didn't expect to react as emotionally as I did.  I must have known 200 people at the funeral, and I realized how important those relationships are.  Ultimately, our relationship with our family, friends and God are all that is important. 

Jeff's mom quoted Jeff saying that our life here is just a blip.  He's right.  I guess what matters is how you spend your blip.   

I'll leave you with Psalm 103.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
         As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
         And its place remembers it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting

Comments

[Lee Bolin]

"...ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

-- James 4:14

[Special Agent Johnny Utah]

Schweikert has exactly the same pose in both pictures. It must be his go-to move.

[Timothy]

So what did Bee learn from 16 years in politics that the other two didn't? Hint: keep your hands where I can see them!

SAJU, what happened to LDOTHR?

[Special Agent Johnny Utah]

I had to kill it off. Had another guy who was supposed to contribute, but then he didn't. I couldn't stand to see the site hovering between life and death, so I put it out of its misery. I didn't have any particular passion for the topic. I just thought I'd create a vehicle for others to use. But, nobody wanted to drive...

[Karl Sorenson]

Greg:

What's wrong with people you have known since you were 10, or in our case, six?

Great to see your site, and hear that you are doing well. Although our politics couldn't be more different, I think you have an intersting site, and political discussion from all sides is the most important foundation of our great nation.

Drop me a line sometime. I hope all is great in your life.

Karl