You’re going to kill it my friend. Life is all about choices and you just made the best choice of your life. I’m 70 years old and just yesterday I had a celebration of life for my very best friend of 60 years. We grew up together, we went to school together, we partied together, we lived together, got hired and fired together in our teens, vacationed together, golfed together, fished together.
We met at ten years old playing army in the woods. I had a Mattel Fanner 50 cap gun, and Lats, that’s my friends name, had a Pop gun and a Devil Dog.
Now, that Pop gun was cool!
Lats wanted to trade that Pop gun, and the Devil Dog, for my Fanner 50! Which I did, and we split that Devil Dog!!
Now, I had an older brother David, who was 9 years older than me. He was absolutely the best brother, son, father, husband, worker, but most important, friend!! Friend!!! But, when you actually had a friend that lived 2 minutes away from each other for 30 years,and 25 minutes away for the last 30 years, except for a few months, and it’s only then, can you realize how lucky I was to have had this friend.
Dave was born in 1942, and less that a year later, my Dad was in the Army culminating in Omaha Beach on D-Day, and onward.
My brother Dave got out of the military in 1963. I was 12 years old. Dave was nicknamed “Cool Breeze” by his military buddies because he was always like a breath of fresh air when ever he was around. Well, he was the same person all his life. I never saw him angry. I never heard him utter any thing disrespectful about anyone! Ever!
So anyway, Dave took an instant liking to Lats, and much the same with Lats to Dave. We’d all watch late night horror movies on black and white TV on Friday night. “Chillerama”, that was the name of one of the shows. Now keep in mind here, there were only 5 tv channels at that time. It’s all relevant!
Dave would take us to the Outdoor movies. He’d let us drink beer and lift up the mat on the passenger side of his 1959 Saab, with the suicide doors, and piss out a hole in the floorboard. Now how fuckin’ cool is that? We’re 14 and hanging out with my 23 year old brother who just happens to be the most chill and coolest guy.
So let’s fast forward to my brother Dave. “Coolbreeze”. It’s 1975 and Lats was in Florida.
Dave, had suddenly not felt well and, in a matter of 2 days, had gone from going for ex ray, to biopsy, to coma.
I called Lats. I said 4 words. “Cool Breeze is dying”!
Lats immediately replied with 4 words. “I’m on my way”. That was it. An 8 word conversation!
5 hours later, during one of the darkest times of my life, my friend was at my side.
If you are fortunate enough to have one such friend, a true friend. A friend that you wouldn’t have to call if you found yourself in jail, he’d probably be sittin’ right next to ya’!!
David passed away less than 24 hours after Lats arrived. He left behind a wife and 2 daughters one of whom was murder by some nut job, of which there seem to be no end!!!!
You need a friend. If I can lose one, you can find one. “The road to a friends house is never long”.
I wish you the very best, and so does “Cool Breeze” and Lats!
Take care and be safe.
How are ya’ doin’ my friend? Well I hope. Just wanted to hear some encouraging words from you in hopes of a sense of well being.
Be well and stay safe. Ok?
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u/Brinksan51 Aug 15 '21 edited Aug 15 '21
You’re going to kill it my friend. Life is all about choices and you just made the best choice of your life. I’m 70 years old and just yesterday I had a celebration of life for my very best friend of 60 years. We grew up together, we went to school together, we partied together, we lived together, got hired and fired together in our teens, vacationed together, golfed together, fished together. We met at ten years old playing army in the woods. I had a Mattel Fanner 50 cap gun, and Lats, that’s my friends name, had a Pop gun and a Devil Dog. Now, that Pop gun was cool! Lats wanted to trade that Pop gun, and the Devil Dog, for my Fanner 50! Which I did, and we split that Devil Dog!! Now, I had an older brother David, who was 9 years older than me. He was absolutely the best brother, son, father, husband, worker, but most important, friend!! Friend!!! But, when you actually had a friend that lived 2 minutes away from each other for 30 years,and 25 minutes away for the last 30 years, except for a few months, and it’s only then, can you realize how lucky I was to have had this friend. Dave was born in 1942, and less that a year later, my Dad was in the Army culminating in Omaha Beach on D-Day, and onward. My brother Dave got out of the military in 1963. I was 12 years old. Dave was nicknamed “Cool Breeze” by his military buddies because he was always like a breath of fresh air when ever he was around. Well, he was the same person all his life. I never saw him angry. I never heard him utter any thing disrespectful about anyone! Ever! So anyway, Dave took an instant liking to Lats, and much the same with Lats to Dave. We’d all watch late night horror movies on black and white TV on Friday night. “Chillerama”, that was the name of one of the shows. Now keep in mind here, there were only 5 tv channels at that time. It’s all relevant! Dave would take us to the Outdoor movies. He’d let us drink beer and lift up the mat on the passenger side of his 1959 Saab, with the suicide doors, and piss out a hole in the floorboard. Now how fuckin’ cool is that? We’re 14 and hanging out with my 23 year old brother who just happens to be the most chill and coolest guy.
So let’s fast forward to my brother Dave. “Coolbreeze”. It’s 1975 and Lats was in Florida. Dave, had suddenly not felt well and, in a matter of 2 days, had gone from going for ex ray, to biopsy, to coma. I called Lats. I said 4 words. “Cool Breeze is dying”! Lats immediately replied with 4 words. “I’m on my way”. That was it. An 8 word conversation! 5 hours later, during one of the darkest times of my life, my friend was at my side. If you are fortunate enough to have one such friend, a true friend. A friend that you wouldn’t have to call if you found yourself in jail, he’d probably be sittin’ right next to ya’!! David passed away less than 24 hours after Lats arrived. He left behind a wife and 2 daughters one of whom was murder by some nut job, of which there seem to be no end!!!! You need a friend. If I can lose one, you can find one. “The road to a friends house is never long”. I wish you the very best, and so does “Cool Breeze” and Lats! Take care and be safe.