Billy and Tub

I have written about my friend Billy from childhood quite often .He is my oldest friend as we have known each other for 50 years at least.Met at 3 and did everything together.He went to catholic school but we lived about a 1/4 mile from each other.We did go to kindergarten together before Jesus split us up!
But the fun we had as kids at his farmlike home (with a HUGE pool, Ive never seen a pool that big since ) it was an absolute dream come true for boys who did everything!!!
I speak of him today as his mother is 94 and in the hospital showing bad signs of dementia and the like.He is here in my state about 4 hours away but Im not sure I will see him as weather,mom,and grownup scary stuff gets in the way.
I always marvel at how strong the friendship feels ,when I havent seen him in  20 years.But I have said this before.When you grow up like we did together you "so" know where they are coming from because we literally lived at each others houses.(mostly his place though.....way more fun)
I guess I write about him today as he is in crisis with his mom and my work with elders could really be of use to him I think.But its far and crummy roads but if he calls on me ....I will go.Days and weather always change.
So many memories ...........the funny part is we never see each other due to distance and money on my part (that part of being poor really ticks me off.Cant be where I want when I want.)
This reminds me of a few years ago my freind Tubby(nicname...hes really skinny)became dangerously ill and I was so frustrated not being able to get to him.This is anoher friend who I grew up with in teen years....we were quite a pair in High School he was valedectorian and I was just trying to get out!!I will never forget my government teachers face when I told him I was going to florida with Pat Twomey(Tub)!!He was like "you guys are friends?"Tub had a love of religion and became an episcopal minister and I had a love of music and became a musician.....but most of all I had hair about to my waist and tub was a shaven religious t-shirt wearin guy......the visual was priceless when we were traveling.
Both these guys are always on my mind ......I would love to see them whenever I could..........it is a real sore spot with me.......dont even have a car I trust to travel longer distances.
Regardless of the decades passing and familys growing we find the way to be in touch........old friends are by far a great gift if you are lucky enogh to have them.....today I honor friendship and longlasting friendships you can count on to brighten your life in memory and the fact we are all still here to connect.

Receiving

Many times I speak about giving in any way I can,to those who are suffering from all kinds of life issues.Sometimes its just talking.....sometimes a little cash.....food....whats needed.
As I  wrote before ,I left my job on Christmas Eve.I will be available for call ins but it became hugely physical for no money.
At any rate what I havent written about is receiving gifts and help.
I have to list what we received to get a handle on it.....its so much.
People gave me scratchoff tickets that totaled 255 dollars in winnings
I also got money from people at work,..lovely (saying goodbye is always hard some were real freinds)
We got cash gifts from family who are too generous
A microwave!!(from my sis)
From dear freinds a 50 inch flat screen (what??)and a futon and area rug!!
Cash gifts and ticket wins totalling over 600 dollars!(my word!!)
What does one do with all this love and generosity?
Its so wonderful.....and being a person who is always skeptical about his person it is an absolute honor to be treated this way.
Some may think it hard to accept all this. But long ago when I played piano for a living and would be astounded by tips I would make ,my mentor Mary Clancy(pianist extraordinare)said "Dont feel badly,..they dont know any other way ...."And from then on I started to realize people do what they do because they care for you and "dont"know any other way.
Over Christmas my fabulous friend Marty(who gave us the flat screen)said"Stop thinking its over the top,dont you know its just you and your" bride"(she always calls Wendi that)and how great you are to all ,I just HAVE to do these things.
I am going to begin to accept the fact that what goes around ,comes around and its okay for us to accept things given in great compassion and love.It will take practice .......but today I am accepting that people do love me and I must remember that.