Rare Air

2000 miles is a long way, and 50 plus years is a very long time. It spells the time and space that have separated me and my two best childhood friends. Back then, whether it was hay, ammonia, cowboys, sling shots, or rubber tires, somewhere in the mix were my two friends. Presently, there is a loving memory of Dennis and Johnnie. They were absolutely my best childhood friends and everyday playmates. Dennis was called "My terrible looking friend" because he never kept clean. Johnnie was the toughest of the three of us. One of the beautiful things about friendship is that 'the institution of friendship' ever grows and thrives. That is to say that we lose some and gain others. The losses are not by design but simply a fact of life. My friendship with Dennis and Johnnie, by no plan or purpose, discontinued. Life happens and forces us in different directions. But new friends appear. Relatively new friends like Ruhtra Serrot, who is a very good friend. Compared to Dennis and Johnnie, I have not known him for very long. I think that I have known Ruhtra less than ten years. Some friendships develop and mature over time. Some others seem to defy the very essence of time. They form and fashion themselves into 'deep roots'. That's the type of friendship that I am experiencing with my friend Ruhtra. I'd say that he is 'Rare Air'. All due respect for those who believe in luck, but I believe that friends are a blessing from God, and still others are 'Special Gifts' from God. I and my family have been gifted with such friends, and they are rare. 080222PSCtest,