Friends of the bump-into sort and the best-forever variety

From the time we are born, most if not all of us begin to make friends -- human friends. Friends can come in many forms and shapes and sizes and ages and colors. And friends can be just bump-into-and-hello friends to friends who will be with you through thick and thin.

Most of us have a number of bump-into kind of friends. We bump into them today and say "hello" and visit but that's about all. We talk about the kids or the weather or our health. But it's just surface stuff, and, most likely, we are on our best behavior. Facebook, I think, calls them "acquaintances." When these bump-into friends do call you, your mind automatically wonders what they want. So, as you visit, you are waiting for the shoe to drop, and you find out why they are really calling. We may have hundreds of acquaintance friends -- we know their names, maybe where they live and maybe even where they work.

Then we have a few friends that we spend time with. We may go out and have an occasional meal with them. May even keep in touch on Facebook or by email or text them. May even call them occasionally or they may call you as well. They get in touch so infrequently that, when they call, you kind of wonder if they want something. But, if we get in a real pinch and we need to talk to someone, they probably won't be the one we call. Most of the time these are people we know at work or through our kids or through church. These occasional friends can range anywhere from just friends on up to pretty good friends. But we still can't call them best friends.

Then there are true friends for life. These are the friends who are there through thick and thin, good or bad or whatever. They are the tried and true friends.

When I was in college in Wilmore, Kentucky, I met Mike Hodge. Mike was a little on the country side, just like I was. Mike didn't stand out in a crowd, nor did I. We were both about the same age, and our children were about the same age as well. We took a number of classes together, and, little by little, we became better and better friends. In time, our two families began to spend time together. On a weekly basis we would get together in the evening and watch "The A-Team" on TV. Mike and I saw the best of each other, but we saw the worst of each other as well. When we both graduated, we went our separate ways but we still stayed friends. Best friends!

What made our friendship special? I don't know. But I know we spent a lot of time together. I know when Mike called, he just called to talk and there was no ulterior motive behind his call. When Mike called, my mind didn't automatically wonder what he wanted. Friendship is a two-way street. It is not something where only one of you can start and maintain. It takes both of you. Mike didn't fish or hunt, but, for some reason, we became best friends. And we stayed best friends until the day Mike passed away.

When I graduated from college in Oklahoma, Jerry and I were good friends, maybe even best friends. We kept track of each other for maybe 10 years but Jerry moved and phone numbers changed and we lost track of each other. Down through the years I have tried to find Jerry and his wife Cindi but I simply haven't been able to. I had tried Google and MSN and Facebook, and no luck whatsoever.

I didn't know whom to contact so I enlisted the help of two friends, Kent, who lives in St. Louis, and Kenny, who lives in Caruthersville, Missouri. With their help, I was able to contact Jerry and Cindi Monday evening. When I dialed the phone number, I was wondering if a long-lost friend would answer the phone or would it be a stranger who I didn't know. Cyndi answered, and it was just like it used to be 25 or 30 years ago. So I visited with Cindi for awhile and then visited with Jerry for a good while. And even though it had been a bunch of years, it was as if it was just yesterday.

Good friends are a treasure and worth far more than silver and gold. I hope you and your best friend -- human, that is! -- have a great summer.

Until next time.