WHAT WAS IT?
Hello Gang,
Sorry about my belated response to what has to be considered for me, one of the most enjoyable three days of my life. I was telling Rick and his lovely wife Holly, like the words from the first song I was to have programmed "For what it is worth", " something is happening here, what it is, is not exactly clear" and I have needed time to fathom and ponder the essence of our unique assemblage. Sure, it would be easy to strike it up to simple impulsive frivolity but I am afraid that doesn't cut it for me. I have never been one for impulsive frivolity so therefore I reasoned and had been searching for, the one empirical sign that would substantiate that our gathering and my participation was genuine and therefore of a lasting nature.
It was not until I arrived home to dress for Saturday's dinner that I began to see the signs I had hoped for. On my phone recorder were approximately 30 phone calls of which probably half were repeat or separate, from friends on a local level that I had not returned. It was at this point and later as I drove toward the resort that the genuine nature of what we were engaged in, hit me. Here I am on an interstate, driving up to be with people I had basically never known before, only to meet on the internet and yet at the same time I was refusing to call or acknowledge the friends that mean just as much to me, and I was looking forward to it. Like I said Something is happening here.
I have always considered myself an individual that prides himself in being in control of his emotions most of the time, but I swear to God, a tear came to my eye from time to time and I don't know why.
Was it the look on my sister's face ( Dealer ) as she gazed at the birthday cake candide had procured the first night of the arrival of most. Could it have been when I glanced out of my eye and caught the look of my good friend, the seemingly prodigal porcher coonaz lovingly sitting with his father and feeling as if the latter was the most contented one there. Maybe it was when Davidcarrsmith mentioned in less than subtle tones that the thread might be a little too grabby or touchy and yet he and his lovely wife attended every function. I guess it could have been when the slender hand from the striking Legs reached out to me and asked if I was OK knowing I had almost over exerted myself in some of the preparations. Why would a tear not fall walking in late to the dinner and seeing the adored Rick standing in the image of Stonewall defying anyone to dare question the running of the bulls. It would not have been astounding if someone had just shed a tear seeing the almost angelic Rose of Canada and regretting the fact that most assuredly she had been transplanted. Only an unsuspecting yankee would contend she was not stolen from our garden, for no other face would more graciously compliment the Magnolia.
I guess it was no place for a tear but no less moving was when piscatoligist came up to me and asked: " Tom can we talk about Health?" Yes, like I said, there were tears but I just don't know exactly why. Nothing was so revealing of my favorite LEVERAGE in any market, GIVING, than when I walked out to the driving range only to find that two of our porchers and friends had picked up my golf tab only to find their faces turn somewhat contorted when they realized I had already paid. Thanks Joel and Rob. Might it have been when rising to head to bed, the reticent but majestic scouser says: "Tom just thought you might enjoy a book from one of my favorite Chech photographers".
There was no doubt why the tears fell when Bonnuss came into my home only to hug and cry for a couple of lifetime minutes while I held her and wept myself. Ah, such a good soul. Lost her CD in my exchanger and she simply says "keep it, it's yours". I had not seen the Tee shirts, a better looking shirt could not be found at Harstfield International Airport, simply beautiful.
It could have been when polvie and I took a leisurely walk down to the river and talked of different things and the irony that ours sons shared the same connotation in their names Kidd and Ladd.
It would have been justified when looking upon Jim Willie's face and seeing the transformation that has taken place since his battle with already stated
setbacks. A more humbled person I have never encountered and none I want to spend more time with. Maybe it was a tear of sadness as I watched Tim and his wife Ria exchange loving glances knowing down deep that is what I would welcome in my life.
Meeting Ritch and his wife Trish only confirmed the above but also made me realize North Dakota did exist outside of films.
Who would not be tearful and I do mean tears of joy at spending even 10 minutes with the most vibrant, intelligent, entertaining and resilient individual to ever set foot on the porch, John ( techgorilla). My God, what a ball of energy. ( So what you going to do John?, We are all still asking and LOL.
Maybe a tear was shed at hearing the long long thoughts of the young Drenkos and Tims as the lengthening shadows close in on me.
Tears from laughter abounded but none so much from me as seeing dangergirl returning to our golf cart sporting a grin that would put to shame a mule eating briar after out driving me on the course.
No tears but certainly such a joyful surprise when Depy-dog came out from under the porch with her friend and all of a sudden I was staring in the eyes of a woman no taller than mother Teresa and a smile no less kinder.
No tears but certainly a chuckle as a couple of guys decided to have a poll as to who had the best legs as She and Leggs walked out of the dining area the first night. Boy, what a guy that hubby of she's is. No wonder she doesn't post any more than she does. Class act, but what do you expect from a red head.
If I had been in a moment of tears, nothing would have brought solace as quick as the broad shouldered new friend I made in Scott Mantz. He simply epitomizes my stance on the Beano story and was always there for my validation but more than that he seemed to wreak with character.
My conversation with Abstract pretty well summed everything up. Abstract simply made the statement that a meeting like this could make or break a thread and I nodded in agreement and then presented him with my lurking query, would you come back next year? - his answer, yes. Quite a guy with a great sense of humor, just ask candide about why he could not find his good drives right down the middle of the fairway. As for candide - simply put, my angels sent him to me.
I know not what the future may hold as to the future of the porch and it's members. I would like to think that it and all would be remembered with the kindliest feelings, but for this to manifest itself, if that be what we desire, when fortune or fate separates us from those friends we have met here, we must possess ourselves the character we love in others. To me, no more noble line was ever written in the history of man than this - "The first emotion of pain he ever caused was caused by his departure." - FSB
Selah
From the porch,
Forever friends,
Tom
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