We Pondered Life and Death...He Lit a Cigarette

There is much truth in songs that are of the simplest content. One of my favorites, Billy Currington's, God Is Great, Beer is Good. This story told through lyrics in of the simplest and purest form. Telling truths found in bars, restaurants, pubs and countless other places across America...conversing with new found friends in that environment..by chance. Conversations that we strike up with a/an complete stranger(s)...learning about their life and their strife. Then and only then, if we are brave enough...more so truthful with these new acquaintance ships, they are given a brief insight into our lives. If we are open to allowing those individuals to take a brief look into our lives...permitting and allowing them to take an objective look into us.

It is my belief that these meetings are not chance encounters. These meetings happen because we meet that person or persons in the right moment at just the right...a precise time. These meetings are random and perhaps don't happen often, but when they do...they are worth it. In those moments, learning not only about the new acquaintance we just encountered...but learning something new about ourselves, from a fresh perspective. Someone who is completely objective, looking at our life as we presented it. We hold nothing back, telling a fresh set of ears the complexities of our middle aged lives and what we are facing...minute by minute, hour by hour, day to day...sometimes these individuals who have nothing whatsoever invested in us as individuals...prove to be the honest of them all. They can tell us like it is...with absolutely no repercussions. They just lend an ear and comment if they feel appropriate. No strings. No judgments. Just honesty. They have nothing to lose...and when we confide, we have nothing to lose either. It's therapeutic, I believe.

I have two, count 'em, two women in my life that I can be completely honest with in my own life...and my own struggles and strife. I'm certain, they can be honest with me, at least I believe they have always been forthcoming with me, as I have been with them. I'm so very thankful and eternally blessed for these two women, and I hope they know who they are when they read this. They have been more to me than I can express. They know me in ways that I may not admit to myself...but their steadfast love and devotion proves to be more than I have deserved or asked from them over the years. For this...I'm indebted, eternally.

I hope that those of you reading this have women/men in your life that you can be brutally honest with...and that they place no judgement on your actions, beliefs or the many or countless/numerous mistakes you may have made in the course of your life. If you have them, those friends in the purest and truest form....hold onto 'em. People like those don 't come around but every so often.They know your faults and shortcomings...but love you any damn ways. That's a helluva friend, my friend. Give thanks for them.