The Laughing Wolf

Take Time Today

The joy of any new job, trip, or visit is to meet new people. At my new job, one of the true delights was meeting R.

On the surface, you would think that it might have been anything but. To the left, R. To the right, wolf. An aging hippy who didn't trust companies, capitalism, or many other institutions to be honest about it. Yet, things clicked.

R was into discourse and was always willing to consider new things, and was widely read to boot. We might agree to disagree on things, but each considered what the other had to say and looked at facts. Besides, when it came to the things that really mattered, we agreed. You do right by your people, your word is your bond, and individuals have a right to choose -- even if they make a stupid choice. Thoughts on management, management issues, styles, and politicians were remarkably similar.

Some of his outlook and politics were shaped by his service in Vietnam. His was not a good one, yet he understood that there were times to fight and to kill. He didn't like it, but he knew it was necessary and he respected those who served.

A talented artist, his design work and portraits were good. We have been having fun the last few weeks teasing a younger, callow member of the office with talk of sex, drugs, and rock and roll from the 60s on. R knew exactly what he was doing, and though he never showed it, he took great delight in making this person's eyes get big and round. It was fun to help on this. Another fan of the Goofy Gophers, he was Tosh to my Mac, and our "Oh no, after you!" bemused those ignorant of such high art.

We briefly considered, before sanity returned, putting the new roof on the new lair. Hard work and labor did not scare him, as evidenced by his willingness to help unload the truck yesterday. Some of the fine trim painting was to be his, too.

Yesterday, I came home and got a call. Thursday evening, R had started feeling bad and had gone to his neighbors. While there, things got worse and he asked them to call a doctor. By the time the paramedics arrived, he was gone.

I am not one to make friends easily. I have a lot of acquaintances, a much smaller number of friends, and a group of what I call true friends that can pretty much be counted on one hand. True friends I trust with my life, and even my death. R had already gone into the friend category, and was headed, I think, for true friend.

Take the time today to appreciate those in your life. You know not how long you will have them.

LW

Hang tight, my friend. I will see you where the fields are green, the demons gone, and the party long.