My day off...

Feels like fall has come. A cool 47∫ outside (feels more like 43∫). What has become of Summer? It was a challenging time which made it go by all too quickly. Not enough family get togethers. A limited income brought limited opportunity. Too few BBQs and Brat frys. Fall has so many changes ahead for our little clan.

I've had good friends.

I read a quote somewhere from someone that our lives are made up of people we love and good beer. I could never agree more with any single statement. Perhaps I never read that. Perhaps it's my own life motto as words to live by.

With this new chapter being written, I will sorely miss my friends. My wife and I have spent some time aquiring good friends, some old, some new. Hard to come by none the less -- that is -- the really good ones.

We've also seen what happens when the true friends have to meet the challenges of life, like unconditional love, forgiveness and pride. They are the ones that overcome. Instead of gossip whoring, insulting, icing the cold shoulders, they come to your side. Their being strong makes you stronger. Like a herd of musk ox surrounding the weak to guard and protect, these are my real friends.

Given a reverse scenario, would I be the better friend? Would I be afraid to show love? Buy the beers and make good conversation? Take care of some of their bills to relieve the tension? Pick up some extra groceries? Let them borrow my car (as if they'd want it)? Loan out my gas card? Take their kids to the park so mom and dad could have a break? What kind of friend would I turn out to be?

Or am I a naval gazer staring at my own belly button expecting everyone to care about it as much as I do? What's the true test of a friend? And how will I find them again once we get to Idaho?

Maybe the friends we have will just pack it up and come with? No. Not terribly realistic, but the truth is, we'll miss you. All of you.

But we haven't left yet.