Friendship and stuff

Before I get to my thoughts on friendship, I'd like to talk about some "stuff". One thing in particular is a brief explanation of the name of my blog "deafeningdave". There are times when I can be a bit verbose. When talking about a subject to someone I am comfortable with I can ramble on and on and get off on tangents. Same thing goes for writing, though I have found ways to be more concise with my written words, so I do not ramble as much. Sometimes my voice raises when I discuss something I have a passion for, like my favorite sports. I have been reminded more about this weakness than anything else.

So calling myself "deafening" is self-deprecating and very descriptive. It does not make me think any less of myself. I have accepted it and realize that, at times, I can tune people out without realizing it. My hope is, however, that I will NOT tune out those who read this.

FRIENDSHIP

Those of us who have good friends consider them as part of the family because we feel a closeness to them akin to those who are family. Most of us would describe them in many ways, but the one adjective we might use most is the term "priceless". We use this term because the feelings we share with them are so strong and powerful that we cannot quantify their value to our lives.

I want to share two of my dearest friends with you, Bill and Ed. Ed and I go back to elementary school days, over 50 years ago now. We went to the same schools and had a lot of the same teachers and friends. We only lived a mile apart from each other until life took us different directions. We did share some special time when we got together in Japan. I was in active duty Air Force at Misawa AB. He was serving his two year active duty as part of the Naval Reserves. He called me from Yokusuka Naval Base south of Tokyo. That was special. But over the years we lost touch.

It was not until about three years ago that we got back in touch with each other. I had gone through some serious depression. I had rediscover who I really was. I felt one way to do this was to see if I could get in touch with some of my old friends. Through doing a little research online, I found Ed's address and wrote to him, asking if he would want to renew contact with me. He very readily accepted that and we have stayed in touch ever since.

At the same time I thought about Ed, I also thought about Bill. I had been thinking about him for awhile already, but now I put forth a more earnest effort. I discovered him clear across the country in Virginia.

He baptized me into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (also known as Mormons). There is no doubt in my mind that in doing this, he saved my life, temporally and eternally. There will be other times to go into that.

Anyway, his response was akin to Ed's. This really was a boost for me. I feel that the times we have been on the phone with each other and the time we spent at reunion in 2009 have really been a Godsend for me. They both have been catalysts in helping restore myself and rediscovering the real David.

These things will suffice. I think I have portrayed their pricelessness. They are part of a foundation I am using right now to rebuild my life into what God intended for me when he sent me to Earth. I am grateful for all my friends and especially grateful for my family who provide much strength to that foundation of my soul.