These Are My Friends

Free Hugs

I’ve been thinking a lot about friends from my past. I actually had a dream about seeing them again. I felt joy. I hugged some of my friends and laughed. It was a good feeling. I then woke up and realized it didn’t happen in real life. I admit I was disappointed but it stuck with me.

As much as I don’t miss the days of high school and college, I do miss the people. The experience of school would not be as good if not for the people who I experienced those moments.

I remember in high school, I was in a band. Now this story doesn’t live up to the drugs, sex, and rock n’ roll lifestyle: I was in high school, but it still had a huge impact on me. Our band had been something where it taught me a lot. The best years were near the end of it. I think it’s when we most enjoyed playing music. The writing had a lot more laughter. I mean we fought a bit but overall we laughed more.

We took time to also just goof off outside of writing. I remember one night just riding around on a four wheeler. On another night we just skated on a quarter pipe. It was a time where we had fun. It didn’t need to be serious.

I also remember through playing shows, we’d connect with friends. We’d build a fan base that mostly was our friends that appreciated music. One of the best memories is where a couple of dudes came up on stage with us to dance around and hit drums. It was one of those moments where it gave me a renewed sense of God.

Friendship is about connection. We live life together. The best and worst moments we have, we experienced together. Through that experience, we grow in some way. As created beings, we were never meant to go through life alone. Life was meant to be shared with others.

I find myself living in a bit of nostalgia. It’s like watching Star Wars again or playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. It’s that familiar feeling that brings a sense of comfort. I know that things have changed but the memories still exist. I hope my mind will never lose those memories.

As I look at my life now. It’s different. I have a wife and kids. I’m creating new memories. I get to experience my kids go through the same type of avenues with relationships. I hope that my kids have those life giving moments with friends. I hope they remember the fights and the good times. I also hope that I find those relationships again in my own life.

I’ll admit, as I get older it seems less likely. I like to blame my kids but maybe it’s because I have become so preoccupied by life. I know that I had some great friends who I still keep in contact with but due to distance, it can be hard. It’s not anyone’s fault but rather life happening. We all have responsibilities and I will be the first to say, I am forgetful.

In the end, I am grateful for those memories of friends. I am thankful for my dreams of meeting again. I am hopeful that I get to have moments with friends like this in real life. Covid definitely has affected closeness but I have hope. I look forward to the future. I really hope I get to have those moments of laughter!